Potentially Habitable Planet Found
Only about 120 trillion miles away, it seems, a close neighbor resides named 581c.
The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a “red dwarf,” is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.
The distance, it seems, does still pose a problem:
“We don’t know how to get to those places in a human lifetime,” said retired NASA astronomer Steve Maran.
Never say never. I had one Christian professor tell me that “never will life be found outside of the earth”. It would be unfortunate for Christians. It would mean their “time scales” are no longer absolute, but simply a warp in space, matter in motion. It would render their “absolutes” as utterly unabsolute outside of the comfortable earth.
Sad how science complicates so many things. Wait, whoever heard Jesus say anything about building his church on science?
18. tired alot. mac-aholic. designer. photographer. social media junkie. God-chaser. ordinary radical.
Apr 25th 2007
If anyone wants to take a trip to that planet, I’m in.
By the way, I don’t really think that science and Christianity conflict, except for in the minds of some people.
Apr 25th 2007
Well, now the question simply becomes whether we focus our attention on generation-ships, or on better engines. We have, more or less, the capability to get to this rock right now… but the expenditure of funds would be massive, and the time necessary would require the construction of a ship capable of supporting people for many, many generations (making it even more expensive).
Anywise, I never found science and Christianity to be at odds all that much either, but I have odd views to begin with :).
Apr 26th 2007
I have to agree with Court on his idea about Christianity and Science. I have no problem with lifeforms on other planets and still being a God. This looks like a great study and I would love to see more about this planet. Any other thoughts you have?
Apr 28th 2007
What I was referring to is modernists’ idol of science that created alot of problems once the literalists started trying to use the Bible as a science text book.
May 1st 2007
I think this discovery is fascinating. I’ll have a hard time waiting patiently for further discoveries regarding this planet.
May 2nd 2007
it is very probable that there could be life on that planet. I believe that we are not alone and that there could be lots more out there than we know
May 3rd 2007
i agree. i think it’s very likely that there is life on other planets. i really do believe there are other solar systems similar to ours, and that life on other planets is not very far fetched at all! i also agree with some of the comments above: i don’t think science and religion conflict as much as people think they do.
May 4th 2007
I’m trying to figure how they can get to this planet if they haven’t even gotten to the moon yet.
May 4th 2007
very funny:)
May 8th 2007
No question, there is life on other planets. Do I have proof? No. But wouldn’t it be mathematically ridiculous to think that earth is the only planet with life on it? Cool article, good perspective.
May 9th 2007
Possible but not plausable. I think this world was created specifically for us to inhabit, if there is another world for us to live on I would go
May 10th 2007
I am in if you can get a star wars type ship with hyper mega drive so it doesnt take 10 lifetimes to get there.