Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Recent discoveries of multiple exoplanets (Neptune sized) are very exciting and have raised hopes that in the future an "Earth like" planet may also be found. "We are closer to answering the question, 'Are we alone in the universe?'" said Anne Kinney, director of NASA's Universe Division, Science Mission Directorate (Had to quote that one because its very cool, and because I wanted to help us all to imagine a business card that says director of the NASA "Universe Division".)

The newest planets have been discovered less than 50 light years from Earth. One orbits a red dwarf and one a yellow star much like our own Sun. These planets are not real life contenders though, due to the speed at which they orbit and the resulting surface temperatures (2-3 days for one orbit). However these planets do bolster the search efforts and make future discovery missions more viable and exiting (NASA plans three future missions to find "that pale blue dot orbiting a yellow star that might harbor life").

For more check out the links.   Two Neptune-Mass Planets Found, Earth-Size Worlds Next