Astronomers working with NASA's orbiting Kepler space telescope say they have discovered the smallest and most Earth-like planet ever seen outside our solar system. They say it orbits a sun-like star in the so-called “habitable zone” - a distance from the parent star where moderate temperatures on the planet would make liquid water - and life - possible.
The newly found planet, named Kepler-22b - is one of a growing inventory of nearly 50 newly discovered super-Earth planets orbiting neither too close nor too far from their parent stars and where conditions might exist that could support life.
Kepler-22b is 600 light years away - meaning it would take a light beam from Earth 600 years to reach it. But even at that enormous distance, the Kepler astronomers were able to discern that the planet is about 2.4 times the diameter of Earth, orbits its sun in an Earth-year-like 290 days, and because of its mid-range location in the "habitable zone," probably enjoys balmy daytime temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius.Its possible that there is life on the planet. We don't know if its hostile or not, but if not its a free space for us. If our technology is that advanced when we need a new planet, we know where to go.
The newly found planet, named Kepler-22b - is one of a growing inventory of nearly 50 newly discovered super-Earth planets orbiting neither too close nor too far from their parent stars and where conditions might exist that could support life.
Kepler-22b is 600 light years away - meaning it would take a light beam from Earth 600 years to reach it. But even at that enormous distance, the Kepler astronomers were able to discern that the planet is about 2.4 times the diameter of Earth, orbits its sun in an Earth-year-like 290 days, and because of its mid-range location in the "habitable zone," probably enjoys balmy daytime temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius.Its possible that there is life on the planet. We don't know if its hostile or not, but if not its a free space for us. If our technology is that advanced when we need a new planet, we know where to go.
