Almost.
We've been watching the stars since our evolutionary ancestors could first appreciate the twinkling points of light in sky during the primeval night. Evidence suggests that humans have been studying the stars as astronomers since 4000 BC. By all accounts, it was only a matter of time before we found what we were looking for up there - the promise of life.
On Wednesday, European astronomers announced the discovery of another extra solar planet orbiting the star Gliese 581. The planet, cataloged as Gliese 581c is the smallest extra solar planet to date, at about 1.5 Earth masses and is the only extra solar planet discovered in the habitable zone of a star. At only 20.5 light years away, the planet is practically next door.
Astronomers figure that since Gliese 581c is the "Goldilocks zone" (not too hot, not too cold) of its star, previous evidence (Earth and Mars) suggests that there is liquid water to be found. The planet's average surface temperature is estimated at somewhere between 0-40*C (Earth's is 15*C), which is favourable to liquid water. If there is liquid water, there may be oceans and with oceans comes the high possibility of life.
Currently there is no other body in the universe known to harbour life. We're all alone on our little planet, but Gliese 581c (they really need a more inspiring name) is one of three possibilities that may harbour life, the others being the moons Europa(Jupiter) and Titan(Saturn). Mars may have had life on it in the past, but it is still unclear.
In all likelihood, Gliese 581c is probably another lifeless rock floating around an insignificant star, worthy of only a footnote in astronomical history as the first terrestrial planet discovered in the habitable zone. Perhaps further study will prove my prediction wildly wrong. We can only hope and root for the underdog - Life.
On Wednesday, European astronomers announced the discovery of another extra solar planet orbiting the star Gliese 581. The planet, cataloged as Gliese 581c is the smallest extra solar planet to date, at about 1.5 Earth masses and is the only extra solar planet discovered in the habitable zone of a star. At only 20.5 light years away, the planet is practically next door.
Astronomers figure that since Gliese 581c is the "Goldilocks zone" (not too hot, not too cold) of its star, previous evidence (Earth and Mars) suggests that there is liquid water to be found. The planet's average surface temperature is estimated at somewhere between 0-40*C (Earth's is 15*C), which is favourable to liquid water. If there is liquid water, there may be oceans and with oceans comes the high possibility of life.
Currently there is no other body in the universe known to harbour life. We're all alone on our little planet, but Gliese 581c (they really need a more inspiring name) is one of three possibilities that may harbour life, the others being the moons Europa(Jupiter) and Titan(Saturn). Mars may have had life on it in the past, but it is still unclear.
In all likelihood, Gliese 581c is probably another lifeless rock floating around an insignificant star, worthy of only a footnote in astronomical history as the first terrestrial planet discovered in the habitable zone. Perhaps further study will prove my prediction wildly wrong. We can only hope and root for the underdog - Life.