The group led by an astronomer at Queen Mary University of London used an observatory in Chile to study the fixed star, Proxima Centauri, first from 2000 through 2008 and again this year.

The team found that the planet 1.3 times the mass of Earth is orbiting the star. The group said the distance from Proxima Centauri allows liquid water to exist on the surface of the planet.

Numerous planets have been discovered beyond our solar system. But this is the first time that a planet similar to Earth has been found circling the star closest to Earth.

The team said currently available observation equipment is insufficient to establish whether the planet has water, an atmosphere, and other elements necessary for life.

Astronomers from the group hope a new space telescope, to be launched by the US space agency NASA next year or later, will help determine the existence of life on the planet.