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April 25, 2007
The First Habitable Planet Found!
European scientists believe they have found the first Earth-like planet beyond our solar system. It orbits a red dwarf star and is estimated to be 50% larger than Earth also making it the smallest planet found outside the solar system.
Gliese as it's been named is located in the constellation Libra 20.5 lightyears away. Gliese orbits its sun 14 times closer than Earth does to its sun. A year just lasts 13 Earth days and gravity may be twice as strong. Although it's closer to its sun in proximity, dwarf stars aren't nearly as bright. This puts Gliese in the habitable zone with temperatures ranging from 32º - 104º F, perfect for liquid water.
Unfortunately we have no technology to traverse the great distance in our lifetime. Instead scientists are using super powered telescopes and theory to determine how much of the planet might be liquid and how much might be solid rock.
Just imagine 250 years from now, somebody's birth certificate will say "Gliese". That's so awesome.
Posted by tranism at 1:25 AM | Permalink
Comments
How is the temperature not higher than that when it's 14 times closer to the sun compared to the Earth?
Posted by: Anonymous at April 25, 2007 6:00 AM
with such a stronger gravitational pull one would feel ahellovalot heavier... not such the great destination for the obese, or supermodels.
however, the heavy-set lazybears should be comfy in a Goldilocks zone.
Posted by: A.J. at April 25, 2007 7:26 AM