'Godzilla of Earths' discovered in distant star system

The 'Godzilla of Earths' opens the possibility that life-bearing planets are far more abundant than scientists thought.

16:05 03 June 2014

Scientists have recently discovered a rocky planet, known as Kepler-10c in a distant star system. It is said to be so old that theoretically, it should have become a “Jupiter-like gas giant.” However, it has remained solid like Earth. Its discovery opens the possibility that life-bearing planets are far more plentiful than scientists thought. 

 

Dr Dimitar Sasselov, from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, said: "This is the Godzilla of Earths, but unlike the movie monster, Kepler-10c has positive implications for life.” 

 

"Finding Kepler-10c tells us that rocky planets could form much earlier than we thought. And if you can make rocks, you can make life."

 

Kepler-10's star system, which is estimated to be 11 billion years old, is much older than planet Earth, which is about 4.5 billion years old. 

 

Astronomer Dr Xavier Dumusque, who led the research, said: "We were very surprised when we realised what we had found.” 

 

"Kepler-10c didn't lose its atmosphere over time. It's massive enough to have held onto one if it ever had it - it must have formed the way we see it now."