first near-Earth-size planet orbiting in the

habitable zone of a star very similar to our Sun.

Located about 1,400 light-years from Earth in the

constellation of Cygnus, the newly discovered

planet resides in the Kepler-452 system.

The planet, called Kepler-452B, is about

60 percent larger than Earth.

While its mass and composition are not known,

researchers believe that it is likely

to be a rocky world.

The host star of Kepler-452B is the same

G-type as our Sun.

It is 6 billion years old, 1.5 billion years older

than our Sun and is 10 percent larger and

20 percent brighter.

Kepler-452B receives only 10 percent more energy

from its star than the Earth does from the Sun.

Since the Kepler mission was launched in 2009,

it has identified 4,696 planet candidates,

one thousand of which have been confirmed as planets.

Of those confirmed, 12 are near-Earth-size and in

the habitable zone of their star.

The mission has provided data that has helped to

redefine our understanding of stars and planetary systems in our galaxy.

Researchers will use this data to continue to make

discoveries for years to come.

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