Kepler 22-B: Earth 2.0 for Future Facebook Friending?
Late yesterday, NASA announced the discovery of a planet just outside our solar system that is the most like Earth to be found so far.
Located using the Kepler universe-trotting telescope, the planet that has been named the poetic Kepler 22-b is a balmy 72 degrees.
That’s because it is in a habitable “Goldilocks” zone (see chart below) and seems to circle a sun much like our own.
Yes, I am hoping this Earth 2.0 is just like Counter-Earth from the comics, too.
But, at more than twice the size of Earth, it is likely all ocean and rock and gas at this point, and is more than 600 light years away. So, if any geek is planning a star trek, it will take a lot of rocket fuel.
(Photos courtesy of NASA)
