NASA astronomers have discovered seven Earth-size planets around a nearby star, some or all of which could harbour water and possibly life. The exoplanets were spotted around a small, faint star in the constellation of Aquarius called called Trappist-1, less than 40 light-years from Earth, or 235 trillion miles away. Three of the planets found appear to host surface temperatures capable of sustaining liquid water and, therefore, oceans. The discovery has raised hopes that the hunt for alien life beyond the solar system could start much sooner than previously thought. The TRAPPIST-1 star & 7 Earth-sized planets orbiting it, are relatively close to us; located ~40 light-years away: https://t.co/QS80AnZ2Jgpic.twitter.com/GiKAFXyNvo — NASA (@NASA) February 22, 2017 The Guardian reports: It is the first time that so many Earth-sized planets have been found in orbit around the same star, an unexpected haul that suggests the Milky Way may be teeming with worlds that, in size and firmness underfoot at least, resemble our own rocky home. The planets closely circle a dwarf star named Trappist-1, which at 39 light years away makes the system a prime candidate to search for signs of life. Only marginally larger than Jupiter, the star shines with a feeble [...]
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