'Super Earth' planet found near one of oldest stars in the galaxy - Daily Mail

Scientists have discovered a huge 'super Earth' planet near one of the oldest stars in the galaxy.

The planet, called TOI-561b, is about 50 per cent larger than Earth, but requires less than half a day to orbit its star.

While it's likely too hot to host alien life, the planet's existence suggests that the universe has been forming rocky planets almost since its inception 14 billion years ago.

The planet, called TOI-561b, is about 50 per cent larger than Earth, but requires less than half a day to orbit its star (artist's impression).

Unfortunately, the scientists believe that the planet is likely too hot to host alien life, although they've not ruled out the possibility that life once thrived on TOI-561b.

Lauren Weiss, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hawaii, and team leader on the study, said: 'TOI-561b is one of the oldest rocky planets yet discovered.

The planet orbits star TOI 561, which belongs to a rare population of stars called the galactic thick disk.

The planet orbits star TOI 561, which belongs to a rare population of stars called the galactic thick disk.

The scientists believe that the planet is likely too hot to host alien life. However, they have not ruled out the possibility that life once thrived on TOI-561b.

'Though this particular planet is unlikely to be inhabited today, it may be a harbinger of a many rocky worlds yet to be discovered around our galaxy's oldest stars.'.

The star, otherwise known as KIC 8462852, is located 1,400 light years away and has baffled astonomers since being discovered in 2015

The star, otherwise known as KIC 8462852, is located 1,400 light years away and has baffled astonomers since being discovered in 2015 (artist's impression)

Seven Earth-like planets were discovered orbiting nearby dwarf star 'Trappist-1', and all of them could have water at their surface, one of the key components of life