Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: At the time of discovery in January 1996 , it was believed that the star was only 29 ly away resulting in the star being less luminous based on its apparent magnitude .
Simplified: At the time that it was found in January 1996 , it was thought that the star was only 29 light years away from the Earth . This could explain why the star was less bright based on its apparent magnitude ( measure of brightness ) .