Exciting day in astronomy! Recently-discovered exoplanet Kepler-186f is almost the same size as the Earth, and is in the habitable zone of its host star, meaning it might have liquid water and the right conditions to support life. Yet another success for the Kepler mission, with humanity moving ever closer to finding another planet just like our own. After that: signs of life elsewhere in the universe?
"We know of just one planet where life exists - Earth. When we search for life outside our solar system, we focus on finding planets with characteristics that mimic that of Earth. Finding a habitable zone planet comparable to Earth in size is a major step forward."
