First Known Quintuple Planetary System Found 'Nearby'

A planet that is 45 times as massive as Earth has been found circling 55 Cancri, a star that is 41 light years away in the constellation Cancer. This discovery means that this is the first Quintuple Planetary system we have found! Scientists are jubilant as this discovery leads them to believe that our multi-planetary system is not as unique as originally thought! And this new planet that they have discovered is orbiting 55 Cancri in what is considered the 'habitable' zone. Other two or three planetary systems have been located, but this is the first with five! Yahoo!

Come on Zephram Cochran! Hurry up and get us that warp drive so we can get busy exploring!

Hat tip: more information can be found at National Geographic. Photo is courtesy of National Geographic.