An earth-like planet is likely to be discovered outside the solar system by this yearend, a leading astronomer has claimed.

According to Professor Michel Mayor of Geneva University, who led the team of researchers that discovered the first extrasolar planet in 1995, a planet of a similar size and composition to earth will be found in near future -- by 2010, the Times reported.

Skygazers can observe planet Mars at its biggest and brightest best on the midnight of January 29.

Washington: A mystery object from space whizzed close by Earth on Wednesday. It didn

T.S. Subramanian

Washington: Nasa

Tiruchi: The launch of India

Bangalore: Isro

IT happens once in a blue moon, and that

Moscow: Russia is considering sending a spacecraft to a large asteroid to knock it off its path and prevent a possible collision with Earth, the head of the country

VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

The Russian space agency will invite Nasa, the European Space Agency, the Chinese space agency and others to join the project once it is finalised
ussia is considering sending a spacecraft to a large asteroid to knock it off its path and prevent a possible collision with earth, the head of the country's space agency said on Wednesday.