An Earth-like planet is likely forming 424 light-years away in a star system called HD 113766, say astronomers using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. Scientists have discovered a huge belt of warm dust – enough to build a Mars-size planet or larger – swirling around a distant star that is just slightly more massive than our sun. The dust belt, which they suspect is clumping together into planets, is located in the middle of the system’s terrestrial habitable zone.
APL Astronomer Spies Conditions ‚Just Right‘ for Building an Earth