2008-02-19

Many Planets Like Earth

Of the billions of stars in the galaxy there are many with planets, but how many are rocky bodies like Earth? Many, if not most, according to a recent study. Worlds with potential for life might be more common than we thought.

Earths may be common in the galaxy

One of the biggest questions in astronomy today is, are there any other Earths out there, and if so, how many?

A new study using the Spitzer Space Telescope has revealed that planets like Earth may be common!
NASA
Spitzer Space Telescope
Spitzer Newsroom

Many, Perhaps Most, Nearby Sun-Like Stars May Form Rocky Planets


Astronomers have discovered that terrestrial planets might form around many, if not most, of the nearby sun-like stars in our galaxy. These new results suggest that worlds with potential for life might be more common than we thought.

Terrestrial Worlds

This artist's concept illustrates the idea that rocky, terrestrial worlds like the inner planets in our solar system may be plentiful, and diverse, in the universe.

The next critical test of the assertion that terrestrial planets like Earth could be common around stars like the sun will come next year with the launch of NASA's Kepler mission.


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Related:
Bad Astronomy Blog » Earths may be common in the galaxy
Press Release: Many, Perhaps Most, Nearby Sun-Like Stars May Form Rocky Planets
Many, Perhaps Most, Nearby Sun-Like Stars May Form Rocky Planets | UANews
Many, perhaps most, nearby sun-like stars may form rocky planets
Many, Perhaps Most, Nearby Sun-Like Stars May Form Rocky Planets | SpaceRef - Your Space Reference