CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — For the first time, astronomers have discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a nearby star — and these new worlds could hold life.
NASA and the Belgian-led research team announced the news Wednesday.
This cluster of planets is 40 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. They circle tightly around a dim dwarf star called Trappist-1, barely the size of Jupiter. Three planets are in the so-called habitable zone, where water and, possibly life, might exist. The others are right on the doorstep.
Scientists say they need to study the atmospheres before determining whether these planets could support some type of life.
Last spring, the University of Liege’s Michael Gillon (GEE-yon) reported finding three planets around Trappist-1. Now the count is up to seven, and Gillon says there could be more.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Can we send Donald there to find out?
I’ll bet there’s more intelligent life on the those planets than in the White House right now.
Trump, reacting to the prospect of more undocumented aliens:
While I want us to discover extraterrestrial life, I really hope we don’t discover it for another four years because there’s no way Trump wouldn’t screw up the announcement.
And only 40 light years away! So assuming the ability to travel at half the speed of light we could have colonists there in 80 years. Then 40 years later we might get a message that they got there and found a new Eden; or the local sentient beings said piss off.
Also, too, plus, Republicans are cutting funds for NASA.