Another new scientific discovery has been unveiled! Scientists found a new planet in our Solar System! To add more spice, this planet is tagged as “Waterworld” planet as it is mostly covered by water.

The said planet was found to be orbiting a nearby star. It was discovered by astronomers in the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).

The new planet, named GJ1214b, was found some 40 light-years away. The planet has a mass that is 6.5 heavier and a size 2.7 bigger compared to our planet earth. It is three-fourths water and ice and one-fourth rock, iron and nickel serving as the core. Since it is orbiting a red-type star, the planet has an estimated surface temperature at 200 degrees Celsius. The new planet’s atmosphere consists of helium and hydrogen.

In short, unlike our planet earth, it is considered uninhabitable for humankind. CfA graduate student Zachory Berta first identified the planet. The “nearness” of the planet means that space-optical telescopes like Kepler and Hubble can determine the exact composition of the atmosphere in the planet.