LONDON: We might not be so lonely out here after all. Although, the planet is still over 1,000 light years away from us.
Spinning around a sun-like star 1,400 light years away is a planet scientists believe is not too distinct from ours. Its parent star is 1.5 billion years older than our own, meaning any creatures there could be far more advanced than they are on Earth.
But that, of course, is a big if. Kepler-452b is a world 60% larger than Earth, and occupies its sun’s “habitable zone” – the orbital region where temperatures are mild enough to be suitable for life.
All of this makes the planet, which lies in the constellation Cygnus, a good candidate for scientists involved in the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (Seti).
News of Kepler-452b’s discovery was released by astronomers operating Nasa’s Kepler space telescope.
Dr Jon Kenkins, from Nasa’s Ames Research Centre in Moffett Field, California, said: “We can think of Kepler-452b as an older, bigger cousin to Earth, providing an opportunity to understand and reflect upon Earth’s evolving environment.
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