Recently the practice of searching the galaxy for radio signals using radio telescopes in the hopes of finding extraterrestrial civilizations has resumed. These radio telescopes, better known as the Allen Telescope Array, have begun to be used again in after NASA’s Kepler satellite found a habitable, Earth-like planet 600 light years away. The planet, named Kepler 22b is 2.4 times the size of Earth and has an orbit around its sun, which is about the same size as our sun, of 290 days. The temperature on the surface of the planet is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Although Kepler 22b shares many of Earth’s characteristics, it is unknown whether it has an atmosphere, or what it could be made out of. These are two important factors in deciding whether life is sustainable on Kepler 22b.
I think the discover of Kepler 22b will launch a renewed interest in exploring space to find extraterrestrial life. For years, we have always believed that out of all the solar systems and planets in the universe, there has to be at least one planet similar to Earth. Kepler 22b is that planet that is similar to Earth and it possibly has the characteristics to support life. Although getting to Kepler 22b will be very difficult, maybe a space race will lead to the development of new technologies that will make traveling the distance of 600 light years a breeze. Maybe humans will extend their reach beyond Earth, defying the laws of physics that state nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. But right now, reaching Kepler 22b is more of a fantasy than a possibility.
I think this article could have gone into better description of what kind of atmosphere and surface composition would be needed to support life. Would there need to be an atmosphere similar to Earth’s and what kind of elements would have to make up the surface of Kepler 22b to make it habitable.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/science/space/astronomers-resume-search-for-evidence-of-life-out-there.html?ref=space
Ned Kister
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I thought Ned’s article review was clear and concise. I thought it was easy to read and entertaining. I liked how he included the similarities between Kepler 22b and Earth. Ned included information about similar temperatures and sun size, as well as year length. I enjoyed how the review stated the downsides to the original article as well. Ned stated how little information there was about what would be necessary for Kepler 22b to be habitable.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few ways this article review could have been improved. I thought it was kind of confusing how at the beginning of the review Ned said that a habitable planet was found, yet later in the article it is stated how scientists aren’t sure what will has to be found to deem the planet habitable. I also thought that Ned could have included something about what possible atmospheres any life could exist in, to safely rule out all possibility of life, or to say that it might be possible.
One thing from the article that I thought was really interesting was that there is a possibility of finding life on another planet, and that we might not be the only intelligent life forms.
I thought that Ned’s review was very clear and easy to read but still made it interesting for the readers. It was a basic summary that summed up a very interesting topic into a very concise review. I liked how he stated how this planet is interesting and gives people hope, it is still just a fantasy at the moment.
ReplyDeleteIt was unfortunate to see that Ned didn’t go into any detail about some more discoveries about the planet. Do we know how similar it is to earth? Can we tell if there is life on it? Even if we don’t know these answers it would still have been good to include more about the planet itself.
I have personally been following this new development because I find it extremely interesting. Could there be other life-forms out there? When will we start inhabiting other planets? Etc. etc.