EARTH 2.0 revealed! Kepler 452b unvelied as the most similar planet to our own ever found with a 'substantial opportunity' for life

[treeduck]

Meet Earth 2.0: Kepler 452b revealed as most similar planet to our own ever found with a 'substantial opportunity' for life

 

Kepler-452b is smallest planet to date discovered orbiting in the habitable zone of a G2-type star, like our own

The planet is 60 per cent larger in diameter than Earth and is 1,400 light years away in the constellation Cygnus

It has a similar size orbit to Earth, receives roughly the same amount of sun light and has same length of year

Scientists are not yet sure whether it hosts life, but say if plants were transferred there, they are likely to survive

 

 

Astronomers have found a planet they say is 'the closest twin to Earth' ever seen.

Named Kepler-452b, it is the smallest planet discovered orbiting in the habitable zone of a star, and has been described as an 'older, bigger cousin'.

 

What makes this planet remarkable is that it orbits its star at about the same distance that Earth orbits the sun. What's more, its home star looks to be similar to our sun.

 

This Earth-like world has a 'substantial opportunity' to host life, Nasa says, adding that if plants were transferred there, they would likely survive.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC8223B00000578-3172316-This_artist_s_concept_depicts_one_possible_appearance_of_the_pla-a-8_1437672754470.jpg

 

This artist's concept depicts one possible appearance of the planet Kepler-452b, the first near-Earth-size world to be found in the habitable zone of star that is similar to our sun. The habitable zone is a region around a star where temperatures are right for water - an essential ingredient for life as we know it - to pool on the surface

 

 

 

The planet is about 60 per cent bigger than Earth, and is located about 1,400 light years away in the constellation Cygnus.

Its discovery brings the total number of confirmed planets to 1,030.

 

It is 'the closest twin to Earth, or the Earth 2.0 that we've found so far in the dataset', said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of Nasa's Science Mission Directorate.

 

Kepler-452b is larger than Earth, but its 385-day orbit is only 5 per cent longer.

It resides in something known as the habitable zone - or Goldilocks zone - which is an area around a star where liquid water could pool on the surface of an orbiting planet.

 

It is also 5 per cent farther from its parent star Kepler-452 than Earth is from the sun.

 

'This is so fascinating because Kepler 452b receives the same kind of spectrum and intensity of light as we do on Earth,' said Dr Daniel Brown, an astronomy expert at Nottingham Trent University.

 

'This means plants from our planet could grow there if it were rocky and had an atmosphere.

'You could even get a healthy tan like here on holiday. Getting to our closest twin planet might take a while though, since it's 1,400 light years away.'

 

Kepler-452 is 6 billion years old, 1.5 billion years older than our sun, has the same temperature, and is 20 per cent brighter and has a diameter 10 per cent larger.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC83EDB00000578-3172316-An_artist_s_impression_of_exoplanet_Kepler_452b_which_Nasa_say_i-a-1_1437672754257.jpg

 

An artist's impression of exoplanet Kepler-452b, which Nasa say is likely to be rocky, just like Earth. 'We can think of Kepler-452b as an older, bigger cousin to Earth,' said Jon Jenkins, Kepler data analysis lead at Nasa's Ames Research Center

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC864C000000578-3172316-The_artistic_concept_compares_Earth_left_to_the_new_planet_calle-a-2_1437672754259.jpg

 

The artistic concept compares Earth (left) to the new planet, called Kepler-452b, which is about 60 percent larger. The illustration represents one possible appearance for Kepler-452b - scientists do not know whether the planet has oceans and continents like Earth

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC828AB00000578-3172316-Kepler_452_is_6_billion_years_old_1_5_billion_years_older_than_o-a-3_1437672754260.jpg

 

Kepler-452 is 6 billion years old, 1.5 billion years older than our sun, has the same temperature, and is 20 per cent brighter and has a diameter 10 per cent larger

 

 

While its mass and composition are not yet known, previous research suggests that planets the size of Kepler-452b have a good chance of being rocky.

 

'We can think of Kepler-452b as an older, bigger cousin to Earth,' said Jon Jenkins, Kepler data analysis lead at Nasa's Ames Research Center.

 

'It's awe-inspiring to consider that this planet has spent 6 billion years in the habitable zone of its star' longer than Earth.

'That's substantial opportunity for life to arise, should all the necessary ingredients and conditions for life exist on this planet.'

To help confirm the finding and better determine the properties of the Kepler-452 system, the team conducted ground-based observations.

 

These measurements were key for the researchers to confirm the planetary nature of Kepler-452b, to refine the size and brightness of its host star and to better pin down the size of the planet and its orbit.

 

'Kepler 452b could be experiencing now what the Earth will undergo more than a billion years from now,' said Doug Caldwell, a Seti Institute scientist on the Keplar mission.

 

'If Kepler 452b is indeed a rocky planet,' he said, its location 'could mean that it is just entering a runaway greenhouse phase of its climate history.

 

'Its ageing sun might be heating the surface and evaporating any oceans. The water vapour would be lost from the planet forever.'

The research paper reporting this finding has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal.

 

 

BILLIONS OF PLANETS WITH LIFE

 

Billions of stars in our galaxy have between one and three planets which could potentially support life, astronomers have estimated.

The scientists came to the conclusion after calculating the chances of planets orbiting in the 'Goldilocks zone'.

 

This is the belt around a star where temperatures are ideal for liquid water to pool on a planet's surface, and for alien life to exist.

Scientists used the same method that predicted the existence of Uranus before it was discovered to calculate how many planets may orbit 151 stars seen by Kepler.

 

They predicted a total of 228 planets in the 151 systems and concluded that each system should have an average of one to three planets in the habitable zone.

 

This suggested that there could be billions of stars in the Milky Way with habitable zone planets where life could exist.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC8288F00000578-3172316-The_planet_is_5_per_cent_farther_from_its_parent_star_Kepler_452-a-9_1437672754494.jpg

 

The planet is 5 per cent farther from its parent star Kepler-452 than Earth is from the sun, Nasa has said

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC828A600000578-3172316-This_size_and_scale_of_the_Kepler_452_system_compared_alongside_-a-4_1437672754261.jpg

 

This size and scale of the Kepler-452 system compared alongside the Kepler-186 system and the solar system. Kepler-186 is a miniature solar system that would fit entirely inside the orbit of Mercury

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC8288B00000578-3172316-The_first_exoplanet_orbiting_another_star_like_our_sun_was_disco-a-5_1437672754262.jpg

 

The first exoplanet orbiting another star like our sun was discovered in 1995. Exoplanets, especially small Earth-size worlds, belonged within the realm of science fiction just 21 years ago. Today, astronomers are on the cusp of finding something people have dreamed about for thousands of years - another Earth

 

 

As well as confirming Kepler-452b, the Kepler team has increased the number of new exoplanet candidates by 521 from their analysis of observations conducted from May 2009 to May 2013, raising the number of planet candidates detected by the Kepler mission to 4,696.

 

Twelve of the new planet candidates have diameters between one to two times that of Earth, and orbit in their star's habitable zone.

Of these, nine orbit stars that are similar to our sun in size and temperature.

 

'We've been able to fully automate our process of identifying planet candidates, which means we can finally assess every transit signal in the entire Kepler dataset quickly and uniformly,' said Jeff Coughlin, Kepler scientist at the SETI Institute.

 

'This gives astronomers a statistically sound population of planet candidates to accurately determine the number of small, possibly rocky planets like Earth in our Milky Way galaxy.'

 

These findings, presented in the seventh Kepler Candidate Catalog, will be submitted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC828B000000578-3172316-The_habitable_zone_is_the_area_around_a_star_where_liquid_water_-a-6_1437672754263.jpg

 

The habitable zone is the area around a star where liquid water could pool on the surface of an orbiting planet. The confirmation of Kepler-452b brings the total number of confirmed planets to 1,030

 

 

WHAT IS THE HABITABLE ZONE?

The habitable zone, also known as the Goldilocks zone, is the belt around a star where temperatures are ideal for liquid water to pool on a planet's surface.

 

To determine the location of a star's habitable zone, scientists have to first learn how much total radiation it emits.

 

Knowing precisely how far away a habitable zone needs to be from a star also depends on chemistry.

 

For example, molecules in a planet's atmosphere will absorb a certain amount of energy from starlight and radiate the rest back out.

How much of this energy is trapped can mean the difference between a turquoise sea and erupting volcanoes.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2ABEB44800000578-3172316-The_Kepler_Space_Telescope_shown_in_the_artists_impression_above-a-10_1437672754591.jpg

 

The Kepler Space Telescope, shown in the artists impression above, has discovered 1,028 confirmed exoplanets since launching in 2009. Astronomers have moved its position of view regularly (shown by the crosses in the image, to watch for tiny changes in brightness from stars that may indicate an orbiting planet

 

 

Last year astronomers announced the telescope had spotted its first Earth-sized planet in the habitable zone of another star.

Kepler-186f, which is around 500 light years from Earth, was the first planet to be discovered that is reminiscent of our own.

 

In January Nasa announced another two new planets - Kepler 438b, which is thought to be only 12 per cent bigger than Earth, and Kepler-442b, which is thought to be 33 per cent bigger.

 

In July, Kepler spotted five planets orbiting around the same star - Kepler-444 - all of which are thought to be close to the size of Earth.

 

Paul Hertz, director of astrophysics at Nasa, said identifying worlds that could be home to alien life with Kepler would allow future missions to look at them more closely.

 

He said: 'Future Nasa missions, like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and the James Webb Space Telescope, will discover the nearest rocky exoplanets and determine their composition and atmospheric conditions, continuing humankind's quest to find truly Earth-like worlds.'

 

In 2017 Nasa plans to launch the successor to the Kepler mission, that will search the nearest solar systems for exoplanets.

Grunsfeld said that with better telescopes and satellites, scientists may one day be able to 'make the first primitive maps of an Earth-like planet', including details of 'whether they have oceans, clouds, perhaps even seasons'.

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC828BA00000578-3172316-Twelve_of_the_new_planet_candidates_have_diameters_between_one_t-a-7_1437672754264.jpg

 

Twelve of the new planet candidates have diameters between one to two times that of Earth, and orbit in their star's habitable zone

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/07/23/18/2AC828A000000578-3172316-The_sweep_of_Kepler_mission_s_search_for_small_habitable_planets-a-11_1437672754812.jpg

 

The sweep of Kepler mission's search for small, habitable planets in the last six years. The first planet smaller than Earth, Kepler-20e, was discovered in December 2011 orbiting a sun-like star slightly cooler and smaller than our sun every six days. But it is scorching hot and unable to maintain an atmosphere or a liquid water

 

 

[J2112YYZ]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other habitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

Edited July 24, 2015 by J2112YYZ

[EagleMoon]

When I saw where it was located I first thought it might be a joke, but awesome that it's not! Love this stuff.

[LyndseyG]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other inhabitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

 

Agreed! :goodone:

[JohnnyBlaze]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other inhabitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

Don't you mean "habitable"?

 

On Planet Blaze, pizza and booze would be free. And so would everything else.

[laughedatbytime]

Apollo was astonished Dionysus though me mad

[J2112YYZ]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other inhabitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

Don't you mean "habitable"?

 

On Planet Blaze, pizza and booze would be free. And so would everything else.

 

Yeah, that's what I meant. I'll edit the post.

[grep]

A mysterious, invisible force.

 

Gravity, 2x ours.

 

This is soooo cool.

[Aikenrooster]

They should call the planet Neil Pratt, since it's in the constellation Cygnus!

[Principled Man]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other inhabitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

 

Don't you mean "habitable"?

 

Perhaps habitable, but inhospitable. No Welcome Wagon for us out there! We're too screwed up!!

[snowdogged]

I think they need to start giving these planets real names like the ones in our solar system instead of just labeling them with numbers and letters.

 

More proof that there are other inhabitable planets out there and that we are very likely not alone in the universe. Best of all, this planet is located in the constellation of Cygnus.

 

Don't you mean "habitable"?

 

Perhaps habitable, but inhospitable. No Welcome Wagon for us out there! We're too screwed up!!

I'm starting to build my spaceship and cryogenic machine today.

[That One Guy]

What a time to be alive

 

 

 

2000 posts!

[Crimsonmistymemory]

If the planet has a substantial magnetosphere then there will more than likely be life there. Having a magnetic shield from cosmic radiaton is now being viewed as essential as the Goldilocks zone for life (as we know it) to survive.

[Freddy Lee]

You know , earth is pretty f*cky sometimes. So, I'll move there! :D

[Rod in Toronto]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best? Edited July 27, 2015 by Rod in Rio

[JohnRogers]

Excellent an M-Class planet found. Now Elon Musk needs to develop Warp Drive.

[treeduck]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

[JohnnyBlaze]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

[EagleMoon]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

 

Take your stinking paws off of me you damn dirty ape!

[treeduck]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! :boohoo:

[JohnnyBlaze]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! :boohoo:

Chuck didn't have too much to cry about for long...he had sexy Nova to comfort him!

[treeduck]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

 

Take your stinking paws off of me you damn dirty ape!

Tell me, though. Does man, that marvel of the universe, that glorious paradox who sent me to the stars, still make war against his brother? Keep his neighbor's children starving?

[treeduck]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! :boohoo:

Chuck didn't have too much to cry about for long...he had sexy Nova to comfort him!

But then he had these guys to put up with...

 

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/e46a68f915450ad9d3a90ea823f38cd1/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.jpg

[EagleMoon]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! :boohoo:

Chuck didn't have too much to cry about for long...he had sexy Nova to comfort him!

But then he had these guys to put up with...

 

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/e46a68f915450ad9d3a90ea823f38cd1/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.jpg

 

They were the creepiest thing in the entire series.

[treeduck]

Imagine if we found that the newly discovered planet is populated, and that the aliens argue constantly - and even kill themselves sometimes - about whose imaginary friend is the best?

What if this new planet is that damn Planet of the Apes!??

Then it'd mean we wouldn't have left this planet but just simply traveled in space for centuries

GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL! :boohoo:

Chuck didn't have too much to cry about for long...he had sexy Nova to comfort him!

But then he had these guys to put up with...

 

http://cdn.moviestillsdb.com/sm/e46a68f915450ad9d3a90ea823f38cd1/beneath-the-planet-of-the-apes.jpg

 

They were the creepiest thing in the entire series.

Except for these guys...

 

http://movieboozer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/conquest-ape-control.jpg