This artist's conception shows the inner four planets of the Gliese 581 system and their host star, a red dwarf star only 20 light years away from Earth.
(Lynette Cook)
Scientists believe they may have discovered a planet that is capable of holding water on its surface; if true, it strongly implies life could exist there as well.
The planet orbits a dim red star called Gliese 581, some 20 light years away from us.
Sara Seager, Ellen Swallow Richards Professor of Planetary Science and Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, joins us to share the significance of this finding.
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The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
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Comments [2]
Most exciting news in a long time. I liked the question about this "red dwarf" putting off different sunrays. Have we ever tested growth of plant species using different light of the same nature as this star?What IS the mass compared to our planet? With such wonderful news, why not take the Hubble and point it in the right direction and have a close up look? Surely 20 light years is nothing to look at up close.I would think you could see micro organism with it , if there were any of course
I would like to buy some property on 581G, how can I go about this? Is there a government office? Seriously, in this age of "jobs, jobs, jobs" how many people could we employ to figure out a way to get around faster and farther, both here and in outer space? So much brain power wasted photocopying forms in triplicate and learning fake Italian to order designer coffee!
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