Kepler-22b is the most Earth-like planet discovered yet. Orbitting a star at 600 light years away from Earth, it has liquid water on its surface. It was the 22nd planet recorded by Kepler and is about 2.4 times the radius of Earth.
Kepler is a space observatory(telescope) by NASA to search for terrestrial planets. It is the first mission to study Earth-like extra-solar planets. With mission duration at three and a half year, Kepler was launched on 6th of March, 2009. Kepler was put into orbit around the sun (with one revolution of the sun every 372.5 days) and has been assigned more than 100,000 targets(stars) that belongs to Cygnus and Lyra constellations
Kepler's main objective is to determine the frequency of terrestrial planets and specially on planets in habitabal zones (Areas where water can exist in its 3 states[specially liquid state]). Planet detection mechanism used is called the Transit Method.
Kepler's quest is planned to end in 2012; but has the potential to serve 3 years further.
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