No longer Science Fiction?

Posted by Leslie on April 25th, 2007 | No Comments

if there really is a habitable planet out there elsewhere in the universe! Scientists have discovered a planet circling a star that “seems” to have what it takes to be habitable.

Until now, all 220 planets astronomers have found outside our solar system have had the “Goldilocks problem.” They’ve been too hot, too cold or just plain too big and gaseous, like uninhabitable Jupiter.

The new planet seems just right — or at least that’s what scientists think.

The new planet is five times heavier than Earth, but circles a star smaller than our sun. This star is dimmer and cooler than our sun, too. But since that planet is closer to its star than Earth is to the Sun, the temps could still be right to support life.

Whether further study finds this planet truly habitable by life or not, it does open the door to more research and raise hopes. After all, is it really true that Earth alone in this vast and never-ending universe is the only planet to support life?