While riding her bike in circles around me as I take pictures of the moon and we discuss the nature of planets, what of the little girls in our neighborhood said: "Scientists are wrong, Pluto is a planet!" Among other statements such as: "If it's not a planet... Pluto should be destroyed!" She made me smile.
When was the last time I made you smile? when will be the next time I make you smile?
ReplyDelete"Earth-like" Planet Found Outside Solar System
ReplyDeleteThe Associated Press
April 25, 2007, 9:05 AM PDT
For the first time, astronomers say they've found a planet outside our solar system that could potentially sustain life.
Researchers are calling the discovery a big step in the search for "life in the universe."
The new discovery has Earth-like temperatures, and might have water. In galactic terms, it's relatively close, a mere 120 (t) trillion miles away. The star it orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller and dimmer than our sun.
There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet. An astronomer on the European team that found the planet calls it a "nice discovery," but adds, "We still have a lot of questions."
The research has not yet been published, but has been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press