So astronomers have discovered a new planet, Gliese 581g, that may actually be able to support life. Now the planet is about 20 light years away from Earth, so no one is going to know for sure that there is life there but one of the 2 astronomers who found the planet says he is “100% sure” there is life there as the planet is "squarely in the middle of the habitable zone of the star."
This means the planet should have both liquid water and an atmosphere. So scientists have found an "Earth-like" planet and there is mostly likely life on it. So what?
Really, why is this such a big deal? This planet is 20 light years away so humans are not getting there any time soon. However last year, water was discovered on the moon of Earth. Probes from NASA and the India’s Space Agency found ice in over 40 different carters on the moon so there is a chance that there are ice and water on other planets and moons in our own solar system.
But since then, there had been no serious plans to go to other planets in the solar system. So a habitable planet 20 lights years away? Forgive me if I don’t get too excited about that.
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