We have not proven the presence of extraterrestrial life, but with the vastness of the universe, the odds alone seem to say that it does exist.
Having said that, do we currently know about any planets other than those in our solar system? Do we know of any stars that could or have planets in orbit? (Is our sun unique, or is it just a type of star?)
Now within 100 years...
Is there any chance that we can put a man on Mars?
... put a man outside the Solar System?
... find other Earth-like planets?
... find life on other planets?
Having said that, do we currently know about any planets other than those in our solar system? Do we know of any stars that could or have planets in orbit? (Is our sun unique, or is it just a type of star?)
Now within 100 years...
Is there any chance that we can put a man on Mars?
... put a man outside the Solar System?
... find other Earth-like planets?
... find life on other planets?
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>Having said that, do we currently know about any planets other than those in our solar system? Do we know of any stars that could or have planets in orbit?
Yes and yes. The current total number of confirmed exoplanets (that is, planets outside the Solar System) stands at 571, located in over 400 different star systems, all of them inside our own galaxy. 52 of those star systems, not counting our own, have more than one confirmed planet.
Moreover, the data gathered by the Kepler spacecraft suggests the existence of over 1200 more exoplanets located in over 900 different star systems. Many of these may be confirmed as more studies are made of the data, and more data gathered by Kepler over the next few years could increase the number further (including, importantly, planets with longer orbital periods like that of the Earth).
The current best candidate exoplanet for having native life forms is probably Gliese 581 d. It is located in the Gliese 581 system about 20 light years away from us, and has a mass about 6 times that of the Earth. Due to its orbital characteristics and the characteristics of the star it orbits (which is a red dwarf star), its surface may be covered in a single giant ocean of liquid water, underneath a thick atmosphere. The Gliese 581 system also has at least three other planets, all of which are probably too hot to have any native life forms.
Yes and yes. The current total number of confirmed exoplanets (that is, planets outside the Solar System) stands at 571, located in over 400 different star systems, all of them inside our own galaxy. 52 of those star systems, not counting our own, have more than one confirmed planet.
Moreover, the data gathered by the Kepler spacecraft suggests the existence of over 1200 more exoplanets located in over 900 different star systems. Many of these may be confirmed as more studies are made of the data, and more data gathered by Kepler over the next few years could increase the number further (including, importantly, planets with longer orbital periods like that of the Earth).
The current best candidate exoplanet for having native life forms is probably Gliese 581 d. It is located in the Gliese 581 system about 20 light years away from us, and has a mass about 6 times that of the Earth. Due to its orbital characteristics and the characteristics of the star it orbits (which is a red dwarf star), its surface may be covered in a single giant ocean of liquid water, underneath a thick atmosphere. The Gliese 581 system also has at least three other planets, all of which are probably too hot to have any native life forms.
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