[ad_1]
Scientists think they’ve spotted a planet capable of sustaining life in a major new discovery.
Experts weren’t even looking for aliens when they found signs of the key ingredient all living things need — water.
Better still, they believe the planet is located in the so-called “habitable zone” of its sun, meaning it’s not too cold or too hot for life to thrive.
Space nerds are excited because if it’s confirmed, it’ll be the first time a planet that could support life has been found orbiting a star of this kind, known as a “white dwarf.”
A white dwarf is basically a dying sun — and 95% of all stars will eventually go through the same thing, including our own.
When it does happen to our solar system, Mercury, Venus and possibly Earth will be swallowed up.
No need to worry anytime soon, as it’s not expected for another 4 billion to 5 billion years.
Astronomers can’t even see this new planet yet, so its existence is not set in stone.
“The possibility of a major planet in the habitable zone is exciting and also unexpected; we were not looking for this,” said Professor Jay Farihi from University College London, who led the research.
“However, it is important to keep in mind that more evidence is necessary to confirm the presence of a planet.
“We cannot observe the planet directly so confirmation may come by comparing computer models with further observations of the star and orbiting debris.”
Using sophisticated detection tech, scientists believe the planet is there because of planetary debris near it.
The 65 structures are managing to keep a consistent distance away from others, suggesting a planet is influencing their gravity.
They think the planet might be about 117 light years away from Earth.
Though we could never dream of traveling there in our lifetime, when you consider how big the universe is, it isn’t terribly far.
But we haven’t even made it to Mars yet, which is less than 1 light year away.
The planet is also believed to be 60 times closer to its star than our planet is to the sun.
“Since our sun will become a white dwarf in a few billion years, our study provides a glimpse into the future of our own solar system,” Farihi added.
The study is published by the Royal Astronomical Society.
This story originally appeared on the Sun and was reproduced here with permission.
[ad_2]