Astronomers have reportedly discovered an Earth-like exoplanet in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, one of the closest stars to our Sun. However, the claim is based on an anonymous source who is said to have leaked the news ahead of an announcement by the European Southern Observatory:
[In] what may prove to be the most exciting find to date, the German weekly Der Spiegel [translation] announced recently that astronomers have discovered an Earth-like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, just 4.25 light-years away. Yes, in what is an apparent trifecta, this newly-discovered exoplanet is Earth-like, orbits within it's sun's habitable zone, and is within our reach. But is this too good to be true? [...] Citing anonymous sources, the magazine stated:
The still nameless planet is believed to be Earth-like and orbits at a distance to Proxima Centauri that could allow it to have liquid water on its surface — an important requirement for the emergence of life. Never before have scientists discovered a second Earth that is so close by.
In addition, they claim that the discovery was made by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) using the La Silla Observatory's reflecting telescope. Coincidentally, it was this same observatory that announced the discovery of Alpha Centauri Bb back in 2012, which was also declared to be "the closest exoplanet to Earth". Unfortunately, subsequent analysis cast doubt on its existence, claiming it was a spurious artifact of the data analysis.
However, according to Der Spiegel's unnamed source – whom they claim was involved with the La Silla team that made the find – this latest discovery is the real deal, and was the result of intensive work. "Finding small celestial bodies is a lot of hard work," the source was quoted as saying. "We were moving at the technically feasible limit of measurement." The article goes on to state that the European Southern Observatory (ESO) will be announcing the finding at the end of August. But according to numerous sources, in response to a request for comment by AFP, ESO spokesman Richard Hook refused to confirm or deny the discovery of an exoplanet around Proxima Centauri.
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Here's an article we ran about the possible discovery of Alpha Centauri Bb.
There is some debate about the habitability of red dwarf systems in general. Nevertheless, one of the minds behind Breakthrough Initiatives/Project Starshot is enthused about the possible discovery. It seems likely that at the very least, almost all stars have planets or dwarf planets orbiting them.
Proxima Centauri will move closer to the Earth over the next 26,700 years at a rate of 22.4 km/s, until its closest approach of 3.11 light years.
(Score: 2) by zocalo on Thursday August 18 2016, @11:48AM
Of course, anyone who thinks we can wreck the Earth because Exoplanets and Warp Drives, probably doesn't have the smarts to work that out either. But that's what the B Arks are *really* for, right?
UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
(Score: 2) by KritonK on Friday August 19 2016, @05:44AM
"Moving to another one" = only move a population that is large enough to be sustainable. The remaining majority of humans will die off on old Earth, and the net result will be that the human race will have moved to a new planet. One could argue that if only a small population moved to the new Earth, it would consist entirely of politicians and rich tycoons, which would not make it a very sustainable population, after all. (Of course, having gotten rid of them, old Earth might actually have a chance of recovering, after all!)