I saw a discussion on another forum on the chances of Earth like planets in other solar systems being found in the near future. I'm interested in hearing our members view on this.

There are many projects being launched specifically for this purpose being launched in the near future so I'm optimistic! There have been many exoplanets found but due to the methods available for detecting them they have all been gas giants (much like our Jupiter) as these are the easiest to detect. Earth like planets (in size, distance from star and atmospheric conditions) are much harder to detect as the light they emit is of such a small intensity compared to their home star.

I admit I have little knowledge on this subject! It would be interesting to hear that other planets like our own have been found - but it wouldn't affect me a great deal. It would be much more thrilling to hear that microscopid life had been found to live/have lived on mars or one of Jupiters moons.

I think it would be more than interesting! Finding Earth like planets in composition, distance from star and age would be up there with one of the greatest discoveries in science. It would mean the chances of finding alien life would increase greatly.

This post was last modified: 12-03-2007 09:11 PM by Xeract.

Both cases would be huge scientific discoveries, although if it was found that some form of life had evolved separately from Earth within our solar system it would suggest that the universe was teeming with life so you're probably right.