First direct image of a cool planet orbiting a sun-like star

The very first observations with HiCIao, the world’s newest instrument in the search for extrasolar planets, have led to the discovery of G 758 B, the low-brightness companion of the star GJ 758. This is possibly the first direct observation of a cool extrasolar planet orbiting a Sun-like star. The mass of GJ 758 B is estimated to be between 10 and 40 Jupiter masses. The temperature of GJ 758 B – 600 Kelvin (330 degrees Celsius) – makes it the coldest companion of a Sun-like star ever to be imaged directly, and thus the companion most similar to the planets of the solar system.