New study claims 'second Earth' just four light years away has oceans

A team including CNRS astrophysicists have calculated the size and surface properties of the planet dubbed Proxima b, and concluded it may be an'ocean planet' similar to Earth. Scientists announced Proxima b's discovery in August, and said it may be the first exoplanet--planet outside our Solar System--to one day be visited by robots from Earth. A team including CNRS astrophysicists have calculated the size and surface properties of the planet dubbed Proxima b, and concluded it may be an'ocean planet' similar to Earth. It is estimated to have a mass about 1.3 times that of Earth, and orbits about 7.5 million kilometres (4.6 million miles) from its star--about a tenth the distance of innermost planet Mercury from the Sun. 'Contrary to what one might expect, such proximity does not necessarily mean that Proxima b's surface is too hot' for water to exist in liquid form, said a CNRS statement.