Science and technology

New “Earth-Like” Planet discovered.
Gliese 581 c (pronounced /ˈɡliːzə/) or Gl 581 c is a planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581.[2] It is the second planet discovered in the system and thethird in order from the star. With a mass at least 5.6 times that of the Earth, it is classified as a super-Earth (a planet of 1 to 10 Earth masses). Assuming that the planet's mass is close to thelower limit determined by radial velocity measurements (the true mass is unknown), it was the smallest known extra solar planet around a main sequence star, but on April 21, 2009, another planet orbitingGliese 581, Gliese 581 e, was announced with an approximate mass of 1.9 Earth masses, which is now the smallest known extra solar planet around a main sequence star.[4]
Gliese 581 c initiallygenerated interest because it was originally reported to be the first potentially Earth-like planet in the habitable zone of its star, with a temperature right for liquid water on its surface, and byextension, potentially capable of supporting extremophile forms of Earth-like life.[2][5] However, further research on the potential effects of the planetary atmosphere casts doubt upon the habitability ofGliese 581 c and indicates that the fourth planet in the system, Gliese 581 g, is a better candidate for habitability. In astronomical terms, the Gliese 581 system is relatively close to Earth, at 20.3light years (192 trillion km or 119 trillion miles) in the direction of the constellation of Libra. This distance, along with the declination and right ascension coordinates, give its exact locationin our galaxy. It is identified as Gliese 581 by its number in the Gliese Catalogue of nearby Stars; it is the 87th closest known star system to the Sun.


Having made the “foot-print” test justlast week, reading this news made me think, what if we discovered a new planet where we can go and actually live on it. Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? In my opinion it would be something...