Looking for Life

The newest Kepler satellite data reveals startling information about frequency of earth-like planets – 3,200 planets now confirmed, including nine new ones in their star’s habitable zone…but no true Earth-like planets found yet.

Two – K1638b and K1229b – are closest to Earth in terms of their position possibly supporting liquid water but 1238 is 60% wider than Earth and 1229b’s star is smaller and cooler than ours, although the planet itself is about the same size as Earth.

The statistical analysis of the data indicates stars are far more likely to HAVE planetary systems than not to and that Earth-like planets are the most common – Earth and super-Earths, that is.

Also, what to look for in the night sky.

Image: NASA/W. Stenzel