Sister Earth Found 20 Light Years Away
The astronomy world is buzzing with excitement after a distant Earth-like planet that may be home to life forms far more advanced than humans was discovered.
The new world is 20.5 light years away - so far it would take astronauts almost five billion years to reach it in the fastest spaceship available now.
Gliese 581c is not much bigger than our own planet and is thought to be in the 'habitable zone' of the star it orbits. This means it would be the right temperature to allow liquid water on its surface - considered a must for supporting life as we know it.
"On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X," said Xavier Delfosse, a member of the European discovery team.
Rivers, lakes, oceans and rocky regions may all exist on Gliese 581c.
And alien life forms could have years of evolutionary advantage on us as its ancient star may have supported life for longer.
Gliese 581c is 14 times closer to its parent star than the Earth is to the Sun, meaning the pull of gravity is much stronger.
A person weighing weighing 10 stone (63.5kg) on Earth would weigh 16 stone (102kg) on the distant planet.
Despite its proximity to the star, Gliese 581c is not burning hot, as it orbits a low energy red dwarf.
The planet is bathed in a dim red light but one side of it may remain in permanent darkness as astronomers are unsure if it rotates.
Gliese 581c will be a key target for future space missions and by 2020 scientists hope to have sent powerful telescopes to search out signs of extra-terrestrial life.
:: Despite the 13-year wait for more detail, bookmakers William Hill have slashed the odds regarding the existence of intelligent extra-terrestrial life from 1000/1 to 100/1.
w00t other life form hopefully, what do you guys think
The astronomy world is buzzing with excitement after a distant Earth-like planet that may be home to life forms far more advanced than humans was discovered.
The new world is 20.5 light years away - so far it would take astronauts almost five billion years to reach it in the fastest spaceship available now.
Gliese 581c is not much bigger than our own planet and is thought to be in the 'habitable zone' of the star it orbits. This means it would be the right temperature to allow liquid water on its surface - considered a must for supporting life as we know it.
"On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X," said Xavier Delfosse, a member of the European discovery team.
Rivers, lakes, oceans and rocky regions may all exist on Gliese 581c.
And alien life forms could have years of evolutionary advantage on us as its ancient star may have supported life for longer.
Gliese 581c is 14 times closer to its parent star than the Earth is to the Sun, meaning the pull of gravity is much stronger.
A person weighing weighing 10 stone (63.5kg) on Earth would weigh 16 stone (102kg) on the distant planet.
Despite its proximity to the star, Gliese 581c is not burning hot, as it orbits a low energy red dwarf.
The planet is bathed in a dim red light but one side of it may remain in permanent darkness as astronomers are unsure if it rotates.
Gliese 581c will be a key target for future space missions and by 2020 scientists hope to have sent powerful telescopes to search out signs of extra-terrestrial life.
:: Despite the 13-year wait for more detail, bookmakers William Hill have slashed the odds regarding the existence of intelligent extra-terrestrial life from 1000/1 to 100/1.
w00t other life form hopefully, what do you guys think
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