Astronomers Discover Potential Earth-like Planet

It’s anyones guess if Gliese 581 supports life — and of course keep in mind that life might mean a bunch of amoebas rather than Mr. Spock — but this sort of news always get me excited:

New Planet Spotted, Could Be Habitable
Astronomers Spot Planet Which Could Have Earth-Like Climate, Water On Surface

“For the first time, astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for “life in the universe.” It’s Earth-like because its temperature is close to ours, between 32 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, reports CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes. It has gravity and the potential for water.

Its sun, called a red dwarf, is colder and not as bright as our sun. Still, this discovery gives kids a reason to imagine life in outer space, adds Hughes. The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away.

There’s still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. And it’s worth noting that scientists’ requirements for habitability count Mars in that category: a size relatively similar to Earth’s with temperatures that would permit liquid water. However, this is the first outside our solar system that meets those standards.”