Scientists discover "potentially habitable" exoplanet
Posted: Thu, Sep 30, 2010, 6:49 AM ET (1049 GMT)
Astronomers announced Wednesday the discovery of what they termed the first planet orbiting another star where the conditions could be right to support life. Gliese 581g, orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581 20 light-years away, has a mass three to four times that of Earth and orbits within the planet's habitable zone, with an average temperature of -10 to -30 Celsius. Since the planet is tidally locked to the star, actual temperatures would vary from very hot on the side facing the star to very cold on the opposite side, but with a habitable zone in between. All those factors make the planet potentially habitable, although scientists have no information on the presence of water and other resources needed for life. The planet is one of six now known to orbit the star.
Astronomers announced Wednesday the discovery of what they termed the first planet orbiting another star where the conditions could be right to support life. Gliese 581g, orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581 20 light-years away, has a mass three to four times that of Earth and orbits within the planet's habitable zone, with an average temperature of -10 to -30 Celsius. Since the planet is tidally locked to the star, actual temperatures would vary from very hot on the side facing the star to very cold on the opposite side, but with a habitable zone in between. All those factors make the planet potentially habitable, although scientists have no information on the presence of water and other resources needed for life. The planet is one of six now known to orbit the star.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 13
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman to launch supplies to ISS
Spectrum News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Cornell-led space tech startup acquired by Pasteur Labs
Cornell Univ. — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) How China Is Transforming Space Power
The Diplomat — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) Two billionaires have very different — and equally wild — visions of a future in space. Is either possible?
CNN — 5:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Rare photos show 'deeply personal' moments in space
BBC — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) |
