Kepler Results Boost Chances of Finding Alien Life

For every two suns, an Earth-like planet
Posted Feb 21, 2011 3:28 PM CST
Updated Feb 21, 2011 5:15 AM CST
NASA Kepler Findings: Alien Life Possible; For Every Two Suns, an Earth-Like Planet
This image taken by the Kepler telescope and released by NASA April 16, 2009, shows an expansive, 100-square-degree patch of sky in our Milky Way galaxy where it hopes to find Earth-like planets.   (AP Photo/NASA/JPL CALTECH)

Exciting news for alien enthusiasts: The discovery by NASA scientists of a vast trove of Earth-like planets orbiting distant suns boosts our chances of finding extraterrestrial life. Findings from the Kepler telescope revealed that for every two stars in the universe, one has an Earth-like "candidate planet" orbiting it, the Telegraph reports. Says a chief Kepler scientist, "I am really delighted that we are seeing so many candidate planets and that means there is a rich ocean of planets out there to explore." Before this, just two potentially habitable planets had been discovered outside our solar system.

Read These Next
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X