Until recently, the 0 _____ of planets outside our own solar system was difficult to prove. Now, thanks to increasingly 17 equipment, hundreds have been discovered orbiting distant stars. Recent 18 of the nearest star to Earth, Proxima Centauri, have led to a 19 discovery: a rocky planet similar in size to the Earth which may have liquid water on its surface.

Although the new planet is 20 closer to Proxima Centauri than the Earth is to the Sun, there is still a 21 of life there. This is because the star is much smaller and cooler than our sun, so conditions on the planet may be 22 enough to support life. Temperatures on the planet will be 23 on whether there is an atmosphere surrounding it.

Travelling to Proxima Centauri and exploring its planet is totally 24 at the moment. Despite it being one of the nearest stars to the sun, it would take thousands of years to get there using current technology.