NASA just a few hours ago (July 23rd, 2015 – 4PM UTC) announced they have finally found another Earth – Kepler-452b. NASA has just changed our understanding of our place in the Universe forever. They just announced that its Kepler search for extra solar planets in the Universe has now found another Earth. The characteristics of this new planet are so similar to our own that it is staggering in its implications.
-Kepler-452b is first smallest planet found orbiting in the habitable zone
-Scientists said they are not yet sure whether the planet hosts alien life
-Scientists said they are not yet sure whether the planet hosts alien life
-The planet has the same size orbit as Earth, and the same length of year
-Kepler has also found 11 other small habitable zone candidate planets
This is strong empirical evidence to support the commonality of life in the Universe. Such a similar planet so close to us in space tells us volumes of the nature of the Universe. Even with the expert and cutting edge optics on Kepler it can only see an infinitesimally small section of the Universe. The fact that we have found anything within our limited gaze affirms our place as just one of many worlds that can support life. Not some abstract extrapolation of what life might be, but life like us. If it can happen so close to us implies that it is not so rare of an event to have rocky planets almost exactly like ours that are in the habitable zone.
John Jenkins, Kepler data analysis lead at Nasa’s Ames Research Center in California, added: “It’s a real privilege to deliver this news to you today.There’s a new kid on the block that’s just moved in next door.”
Such scientific evidence such as this does not come by everyday. This is a important day in mankind’s understanding of the Universe and our place in it.
More information and analysis to follow.
Source: kepler.nasa.gov
No comments:
Post a Comment