Astronomers have discovered a "Mega-Earth" planet that is approximately 17 times the mass of our planet.
The planet, which has been called Kepler-10c, was discovered by NASA's Kepler space telescope, and announced on June 2 at an astronomy meeting in Boston.
The discovery challenges a theory that beyond about 10 Earth masses, a planet would hold on to so much hydrogen that it would become more like Saturn or Jupiter.
"Nature will do what she wants, regardless of earthling theorists," said Sara Seager, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology planetary scientist who was not involved in the new discovery, according to The Washington Post.
This planet is rocky however, with a clearly defined surface.
Astronomers estimate that "Mega-Earth" formed approximately 11 billion years ago. Until now, rocky worlds were not believed to have existed that long.
"It's still rock, but it's rock that's twice as dense as the rock we're used to," said Dimitar Sasselov, a professor of astronomy at Harvard University and a co-author of the paper describing the "Mega-Earth," according to The Washington Post.
She added that she finds the discovery "incredibly exciting."
Researchers said that the planet is too close to its parent star, and the surface is "thoroughly roasted," according to the newspaper.
The planet orbits a star about 560 light-years away in the constellation Draco.
Gravity at the surface is nearly three times that of Earth. The new research could change the strategy of astronomers looking for Earth-like planets in habitable zones.
"Maybe we should not focus on M-dwarfs, even though those are so common," Cohen said. "Maybe we should focus on the more sunlike stars."
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