It seems appropriate for Earth Day that news comes from England that astronomers found two planets that bear a strong resemblance to our own. awfully familiar to our own. One, Gliese 581 e, is less than twice the size of Earth, while another, Gliese 581 d, is within the prime habitable zone for potential life.
Gliese 581 e is too close to the nearest star, which makes it too hot to support life. But Swiss scientist Michel Mayor says its discovery in a solar system 20 1/2 light years away from Earth demonstrates that astronomers are getting closer to finding more planets like Earth." Not only is Gliese 581 d in an area around a solar body that would allow water on its surface, it may even have an ocean.
This is exciting news indeed, but twenty light years and change seems a long way to go to look for life. Humanoid life? Highly implausible, but the possibility of finding any kind of life out there is tempting.
In the meantime, let's take care of the life on this planet, which we know exists.
Read the full story here.
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