Scientists yesterday announced the discovery a new planet roughly 20 light years away that seems to have all of the right criteria to support extra terrestrial life–perhaps even that of humans, should we ever, you know, completely destroy our home.
The planet has been deemed Gliese581 (or, even less appealingly, Gliese581g). It fits the criteria for what is adorably known as a “Goldilocks” planet–that’s one that sits a distance from its sun appropriate for sustaining human life. The planet has an average temperature of 10.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Given the planet’s atmosphere and gravity, scientists believe that water is also present. “Our findings offer a very compelling case for a potentially habitable planet,” Gliese581’s co-discoverer Steve Vogt told the press. “We had planets on both sides of the habitable zone-one too hot and one too cold, and now we have one in the middle that’s just right.”
Just like really good porridge.