Earth-like planet discovered..should you start packing?
Big news yesterday…
A team of astronomers announced they have discovered the smallest and potentially most Earth-like extrasolar planet yet. Five times as massive as Earth, it orbits a relatively cool star at a distance that would provide earthly temperatures as well, signaling the possibility of liquid water.
“The separation between the planet and its star is just right for having liquid water at its surface,” says astronomer and team spokesperson Stephane Udry of the Observatory of Geneva in Versoix, Switzerland. “That’s why we are a bit excited.”
Source: All Wet? Astronomers Claim Discovery of Earth-like Planet: Scientific American
Wow! Cool! Let’s move! Umm. Not so fast. Okay, first thing it’s five-times more massive than Earth. Meaning … gravity is, what, at least five times stronger (hmm maybe good for an Olympic training camp). Okay then there is the other detail. It’s orbiting a star in Libra … 20 freakin’ light years away! So until Zefram Cochrane invents warp drive in 2063, we’re kinda hooped.
For other thoughts on Earth 2.0, read David at science base …
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