First Earth-sized planets have been detected

[Brogan]

Astronomers have detected the first Earth-sized planets, which are orbiting a star similar to our own Sun.

In the distant past they may have been able to support life and one of them may have had conditions similar to our own planet - a so-called Earth-twin - according to the research team.

They have described their findings as the most important planets ever discovered outside our Solar System.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16268950

 

[snowy]

"We know that these two planets may have migrated closer to their Sun,"

We know that when scientists talk like this that they may be making it up.

 

[Josephiah]

That makes perfect sense: it means they've ruled out the possibility that the planets couldn't have.

 

[KekeTheKing]

Any truth to the rumor that BE is currently in negotiations to bring a GP to Keppler-20f?

 

[Mephistopheles]

Any truth to the rumor that BE is currently in negotiations to bring a GP to Keppler-20f?

Only if it can come up with a planet sized amount of money for Bernie's retirement fund..

I read somewhere that planets that could sustain life are called goldielocks planets is this true?

 

[FB]

The Goldilocks things comes from the "not too hot, not too cold, just right" bit about the porridge in the story. Astronomers refer to the "Goldilocks zone" in relation to a planets distance from its sun.

 

[Fenderman]

Don't know if this has been posted elsewhere:

R.I.P. Christopher Hitchens - 1949-2011.