World Bulletin/News Desk

Spitzer space telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has detected a light-emitting planet beyond the solar system. The planet, called 55 Cancri e, falls in the category of planets that are usually termed as ‘Super-Earths’ which are more massive than our home planet.

Though, the planet is not fit for human habitation but is a major step towards the eventual search of life on other planets. The planet is about twice as big and eight times as massive as the Earth. It orbits around a bright star, called 55 Cancri, in a just about 18 hours.

The 55 Cancri, system which consists of 5 planets is about 41 light years away from the earth.