Anyone out there?

NASA suspects: 'The life is out there'

Feb 03, 2011 4:13pm

NASA says it has found more than 1200 possible new planets, putting the chances of finding alien life on a "much firmer footing".

NASA scientists revealed that its Kepler telescope has found more than 50 Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars, more than doubling the known number of planets that appear to have conditions to maintain life.

In only four months of searching one small corner of the Milky Way, Kepler found more than 1200 planets in total and at least 200 multi-planet star systems similar to ours.

NASA scientists said they needed time to confirm that the planets are, in fact, planets and not some other object, like a double star.

Given Kepler's success rate, which is over 80 per cent, they believe the vast majority of the objects will be declared planets once they are able to measure their masses using ground-based telescopes.

One area of particular interest to the NASA scientists is a group of six planets circling a sun-like star named Kepler 11.

That solar system contains at least five planets that NASA wants to look closely at for their possible Earth-like characteristics.

Scientists believe there may also be a sixth Earth-like planet lolling around Kepler 11 at a distance further from the sun than the other six.

The scientists noted that further research is needed to determine if any of the Earth-like planets might be the "Holy Grail" they are seeking, a planet similar to Earth in size and mass and that has the necessary elements to support life.

In addition to determining whether the Earth-like finds are planets, the scientists will have to assess their composition.

They need to determine whether they are rocky and not comprised mainly of gas.

They also need to assess surface temperatures because, one of the scientists noted, their Earth-sized finds are mainly orbiting suns that appear smaller and cooler than Earth's sun.

NASA noted the Kepler telescope is on a three-and-a-half year mission to search for Earth-sized planets, therefore this report after only four months worth of data collection means it is possible Kepler will find many more Earth-like planets.