Artist’s impression of GJ 1214b

This artist’s impression shows the super-Earth exoplanet orbiting the nearby star GJ 1214. It is the first super-Earth to have its atmosphere analysed. The exoplanet, orbiting a small star only 40 light-years away from us, has a mass about six times that of the Earth. The planet, GJ 1214b appears to be surrounded by an atmosphere that is either dominated by steam or blanketed by thick clouds or hazes. The planet appears as a large crescent in the foreground with its red parent star behind.