Scientists discover new planet just outside solar system

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Planet E, or Gliese 581e, is less than twice the size of Earth, and has been found in a galaxy far from here, according to scientists attending a conference at the University of Hertfordshire.

As many as 300 exoplanets - or planets outside our solar system - have been discovered, but most are much larger than Earth. Xavier Bonfils of the Grenoble Observatory in France said the new planet was the least massive exoplanet ever detected.

Pictures: Nasa releases stunning images to celebrate Earth Day

The new planet is probably too hot for human life because it sits very close to the sun-like star it orbits. Astrophysicist Michel Mayor said: "The Holy Grail of current exoplanet research is the detection of a rocky, Earth-like planet in the 'habitable zone'."

The discovery was reported as Nasa marked Earth Day today by releasing images of the south polar ice cap, taken from the International Space Station, to raise awareness of global climate issues.