Nasa's Kepler telescope has discovered more than 100 Earth-sized planets orbiting alien stars.
It has also detected nine small planets within the so-called habitable zone, where conditions are favourable for liquid water - and potentially life.
The finds are contained within a catalogue of 1,284 new planets detected by Kepler - which more than doubles the previous tally.
Nasa said it was the biggest single announcement of new exoplanets.
Space agency scientists discussed the new findings in a teleconference on Tuesday.
Statistical analyses of the expanding sample of worlds helps astronomers understand how common planets like our own might be.
"If you ask yourself where is the next habitable planet likely to be, it's within about 11 light-years, which is very close," said Dr Natalie Batalha,
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