Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Planet Kepler-20f

This month Minnie is exploring the alphabet by digging out the unusual, often unexplained and alternative way of thinking. Stories of creatures, places and mysteries that have been passed down to us through centuries tease our imagination, live in our dreams and dare us to explore the impossible. Join Minnie each day as she discovers something unusual in the alphabet.

 
“Tupperware…Software, next it will be Spacewear instead of underwear”

The Kepler spacecraft is an American space observatory on a mission to discover planets like Earth. On December 20, 2011, just a few days before Christmas, NASA announced that its Kepler mission had discovered the first Earth-size planet orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system. This rocky planet called Kepler-20f, is too close to its star to be habitable because although the planet could have a thick water-vapor atmosphere, its surface is believed to be too hot for life. 

It is the first time a planet of this size has been detected in another solar system. Scientists have hailed this technical achievement of detecting Earth sized ‘exoplanets’ (the technical term for planets outside the solar system) as it increases the chances of finding life-bearing worlds. Maybe this planet will one day be a popular vacation spot, depending of course on the proper “Sun Scream.”

Do you think we will ever have to or want to populate another planet?


10 comments:

Lynn Proctor said...

i think it would always be too hot for me--great information

Simon Kewin said...

Fascinating. How did I not know about that? As to your question - definitely. It's a big universe out there ...

Julie Goucher said...

Great post. Interesting & thought provoking

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We'll want to, but I don't think we'll ever get there.

D.G. Hudson said...

I like to think we will expand if we can find other hospitable and habitable planets. Hubby says no due to the distance between them and us. So it depends if you ask a dreammer or a pragmatist.

Am now following, thanks for stopping by my blog.

Empty Nest Insider said...

It's interesting to think about, but I don't think it's likely to happen. Nice A to Z mascot! Thanks for following me! Julie

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Siv, be sure to stop by tomorrow - I have a surprise for you!

Chiz said...

How hot are we talking? Because I really enjoy Florida.

Awesome blog! I'm following now!

Bethe77 said...

I think future generations will. I personal dont think I will see it in my life time nor do I have a desire for that. But Im sure it is possible.
As we see no limits in space
Blessings

Nick said...

Now that's fascinating, especially the question of whether we'll ever colonise another planet. If the human race survives long enough, maybe one day we'll have to. But that is so, so far in the future that it's almost absurd.

What about teraforming? Making a planet "earth-like," liveable. That would be crazy.