Just this February, astronomers have discovered a new planet outside our solar system that is more or less similar to our very own planet Earth because of its rocky feature. It is also believed that the planet may be the fastest yet discovered as it lies about 2.5 million kilometers, completing its orbit in just 20 hours. Moreover, the planet’s temperature is approximately ranging from 1,000 to 1, 500 degrees Celsius, making it extremely hot and impossible to live in. The astronomers and researchers think that the planet is possible covered in liquid lava due to the extremities in its temperature.

COROT-Exo-7b is now the 330th exoplanet (planets that are not in our solar system and are orbiting other parent stars) discovered so far. Most of them are huge gas giants that are detected through gravitational lenses, where the presence of a planet is sensed through the light bends responding to gravitational influence.

The planet was found by the COROT space telescope due to its close proximity, making detection easier during the planet’s transition. The planet was then named COROT-Exo-7b, and is still being investigated.

According to COROT’s project scientist, Malcolm Fridlund, the discovery of Exo-7b is a big stepping stone towards understanding the formation and evolution of our planet. With COROT, they will be continuing their search for smaller and more Earth-like planets. But they will be more focused on their search for transiting Earth-like planets in the habitable parts of space; a planet that has temperatures just enough to support liquid water, and planet is that is possibly enough to sustain life.