New Earthlike Planet Found! Is there life?
Astronomers have found a new planet which they believe is Earthlike and could contain life. Many astronomers refer to this as the Goldilocks zone for life. It's not too hot and not too cold, it's just right for liquid water.
Co-discoverer R. Paul Butler said, "This really is the first Goldilocks planet."
Scientist now believe that the new planet is a the best option for harboring life.
The new planet is said to be larger than Earth and much closer to it's star (compared to distance between Earth and Sun). Because of this it orbits in just 37 days and rotates very slowly so one side is almost either always bright or dark for long periods of time.
Gliese 581G is around 20 light years away from Earth's solar system.
The discovery was made by R. Paul Butler and Steven Vogt from the University of California. They clarify that their discovery doesn't mean that there is life on this planet, but instead that new life can be introduced and keep going.
March 20th, 2011 - 15:31
Following up…
My own opinion (as well as that of some researchers in this field) is that complex life would be very difficult, if not impossible, to sustain on a planet around a red dwarf star, because the planet would be inside the “Tidal Lock” line. The resulting climate would be extraordinarily hostile to life in spite of a global average temperature being between 0 and 100 Celsius.