( CNN ) -- Are we alone in the universe ? Findings by NASA 's Kepler space telescope are making that seem less likely . NASA scientists have announced Kepler has spotted five planets about the size of Earth , orbiting stars in our galaxy . These planets are orbiting in what is known as the habitable zone , which puts them at a distance from their suns where liquid water could exist . Liquid water is a key ingredient for life to form . `` In a generation we have gone from extraterrestrial planets being a mainstay of science fiction , to the present , where Kepler has helped turn science fiction into today 's reality , '' said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden . The Kepler science team also announced the telescope found six planets , all larger than Earth , orbiting a single sun-like star . That star is some 2,000 light years from Earth . To date , the telescope has detected more than 1,200 planet candidates . The fact that so many planets have been found in the Milky Way galaxy `` suggests there are countless planets orbiting sun-like stars in our galaxy , '' said William Borucki , Kepler 's principal investigator . Kepler does not actually see the planets themselves . The telescope sees tiny decreases in light from the stars as planets transit across their suns . The five Earth-sized planets are orbiting stars cooler and smaller than our sun , and further analysis is still necessary to officially confirm they are planets .
NASA 's Kepler space telescope has discovered Earth - sized planets in our galaxy . There are five planets in orbit from their stars where liquid water can exist . Liquid water is a key ingredient for life to form .