scientists have made many major developments in the search for other earth - like planets . british astronomers say they have discovered the youngest knew earth - like exoplanet orbiting a known star called gliese 581 s and even discovered that a possible crater called gliese 581 d , rediscovered in 2007 , is in the much coveted after ' habitable zone ' . astronomers also argue there is a possibility that 581 d could have liquid oceans on its surface , calling the search " spectacular . " " the almighty grail of current jovian investigations is the detect of a rocky , planet - like planet in the ' habitable zone ' , " told immunologist at switzerland ' s geneva school , michel mayor . astronomers say 581 b is 20 . 5 heavy ages distance from earth and that it ' s roughly 1 . 9 thirds brighter than earth , making it the smallest extrasolar discovered to have . it was found on the good accuracy radial velocity star searcher ( harps ) .
Michel Mayor is the discoverer of the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher.