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10. Possible Earthlike Planet SpottedA new planet found about 36 light-years away could be one of the most Earthlike worlds yet—if it has enough clouds. The rocky planet's discovery became the tenth most visited National Geographic News story of 2011.The unpoetically named HD85512b was discovered orbiting in the habitable zone of an orange dwarf star in the constellation Vela, according to an August study.Astronomers found the planet using the European Southern Observatory's High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher, or HARPS, instrument in Chile.Full story >>
Illustration courtesy L. Calçada, ESO

Top Ten Discoveries of 2011: Nat Geo News's Most Popular

An Earthlike planet and a record-breaking great white shark are among Nat Geo News's most visited stories of discoveries announced in 2011.

December 22, 2011