'Super Earth' discovered 33 light years away

Scientists have just discovered a planet that weighs 5.4 times more than Earth and is quite close to us.

This "super-Earth" is located about 33 light-years away and orbits a red dwarf star.

This planet is located outside the solar system, named GJ 536 b by scientists and has a mass nearly 5.4 times that of Earth.

GJ 536 b is not in the habitable zone of its host star because it is too close. Its orbit takes less than nine days, according to research published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Newly discovered "super-Earth" orbiting a red dwarf star. Photo: Getty.

However, scientists are hoping to find similar planets in the vicinity with a higher chance of detecting life.

"This rocky planet orbits a star that is much smaller and cooler than the Sun, but it is close enough and bright enough," said team member Jonay Isai Gonzalez.

"Rocky planets are often found in groups, especially around globular stars of this type. We are quite confident that we can find other 'super-Earths' orbiting beyond their host stars on timescales ranging from 100 days to several years," added lead author Alejandro Suarez Mascareno.

"Super-Earth" is a term used to describe planets with masses between 1 and 10 times that of Earth.

The discovery of "super-Earths" often excites those looking for alien life because, unlike gas giants, they often have rocky and habitable surfaces.

According to Zing