Scientists discover two new 'super-Earth' planets that may support life

Two new 'super-Earth' planets have been discovered by scientists, which hold the potential to support life. These planets orbit around habitable zone of the nearest Sun-like star Tau Ceti, some 12 light years away.

The location of these planets support liquid water, a major requirement for life as tha area is neither too hot nor too cold.

The scientists observed wobbles in the movements of Tau Ceti, caused by planets orbiting around it. This "wobble" method of planet finding measures the influence of gravitational interaction on a star.

Dr Fabo Feng, lead researcher and a research fellow at the University of Hertfordshire, said: "We're getting tantalisingly close to observing the correct limits required for detecting Earth-like planets.”

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"Our detection of such weak wobbles is a milestone in the search for Earth analogues and the understanding of the Earth's habitability through comparison with these."

Stars that are similar to the size of th Sun are considered most favourable tagets for finding habitable Earth-like planets and Tau Ceti is similar to our Sun both in terms of size as well as brightness.