The Daily Galaxy (April 25, 2007)
"Scientists have discovered a planet not much bigger than our Earth that may also be covered in oceans and has the right temperature to support life, about 20.5 light years away.
"Scientists believe that by 2020, it will be possible for a telescope to take a close look at the planet, which has not yet been named, to search if there are signs of life...."
Don't let the website title fool you: this article is fairly straightforward reporting.
The star in question is Gliese 581, and the planet is one of three known to orbit Gl 581. Gl 581 c is about 5 times as massive as Earth, but astronomers don't know what its diameter is.
At the time of its discovery, Gl 581 was the smallest exoplanet known.
What's at least as exciting is that it is in a stable, rather circular orbit, that keeps it at a temperature where water is a liquid.
There might, possibly, be life there.
More, at "Major Discovery: New Planet Could Harbor Water and Life" (Space.com (April 24, 2007)).
UPDATE (April 21, 2009)
Smallest explanet found so far is in the Gliese 581 system - and Gliese 581 d might have liquid water.
- "Gliese 581: Lightest Known Expoplanet (Caution! Geeky Content!)"
(April 21, 2009)
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