An Earth-Like Planet discovered?

[Naru523]

Gliese 581 c (pronounced /ˈgliːzə/) is an unconfirmed "super-earth", a large terrestrial extrasolar planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581.[3] Assuming that the planet's mass is close to the lower limit determined by radial velocity measurements (the true mass is unknown), it would be the smallest known extrasolar planet around a main sequence star to date.[4] Gliese 581 c generated interest because it was initially reported to be the first potentially Earth-like planet in the habitable zone of its star, with a temperature right for liquid water on its surface, and by extension, potentially capable of supporting Earth-like life.[3][5] However, further research on the potential effects of the planetary atmosphere casts doubt upon the habitability of Gliese 581 c and indicates that the third planet in the system, Gliese 581 d, is a better candidate for habitability.[6][7] In astronomical terms, the Gliese 581 system is relatively close to Earth, at 20.3 light years (192 trillion km or 119 trillion miles) in the direction of the constellation of Libra.[8][9] This distance, along with the declination and right ascension coordinates, give its exact location in our galaxy. It is identified as Gliese 581 by its number in the Gliese Catalogue of Nearby Stars; it is the 87th closest known star system to the Sun.[10]

[Chaotic Cow]

Oh! Nice find!

[Naru523]

Hmm.. they should put Glieses as a solar system, Plus as the nearest stars,

[Naru523]

Here is Gliese 581 D: Gliese 581 d (pronounced /ˈgliːzə/) is an extrasolar planet approximately 20 light-years away in the constellation of Libra. Because of its mass, the planet is classified as a super-Earth planet. Because the planet orbits in the outer edge of its parent star's habitable zone, it is thought that the planet may be similar to Earth.

 Discovery

The planet was discovered by the team of Stéphane Udry of the Geneva Observatory in Switzerland using the HARPS instrument on the European Southern Observatory 3.6 meter telescope in La Silla, Chile on 24 April 2007. Udry's team employed the radial velocity technique, in which the size and mass of a planet are determined based on the small perturbations it induces in its parent star’s orbit via gravity.[1]

The team is confident that the planet exists but recognizes that unlikely events could mimic its existence. They believe the issue will be settled by upcoming studies.

Dynamical simulations of the Gliese 581 system assuming that the orbits of the three planets are coplanar show that the system becomes unstable if its component masses are so high as to correspond to an overall inclination angle of 10° or less.[2] For Gliese 581 d, the upper bound of its mass must be half that of 581 b; that is, 581 d's maximum is 44 Earth masses.[3] At this mass it must be held together with a central heavy-element core like Saturn and maybe even HD 149026 b.

Climate and habitability

Although Gliese 581 d orbits outside the theoretical habitable zone of its star, scientists surmise that conditions on the planet may be conducive to supporting life.[4][5] Scientists originally believed that Gliese 581 d would be too cold for liquid water to exist, and therefore could not support life in forms as existing on Earth. However, since Earth's temperature would be about -18°C[6] without any greenhouse gases, and due to a theorized greenhouse effect of Gliese 581 d, research now suggests that atmospheric conditions on the planet could create temperatures at which liquid water can exist, and therefore the planet may be capable of supporting life.

[monmarfori]

it may be not in the habitable zone, but is near and livable

[SuperNova]

''Super Bova didt it again''

I made Gliese 581 (i search everything on wikipedia) but not much about Gliese 581 d so......

I hope you like it

( the 100th reply that i posted!)

[SuperNova]

Here it is!

[Chaotic Cow]

Thanks. SuperBova.

[Naru523]

We will terraform the planet and live on there in 1 million years or less 

[atomic7732]

Hey, did you know these two planets are still the best possibilities since discovery? only a few others are quite possible.

[Naru523]

Yeah. Gliese 581 D is the main planet to have life. Gl581 c is thought to have greenhouse gas.

[atomic7732]

To have life d needs a bit more warmth. It's on the edge of the habitable zone. If it has an atmosphere a bit thicker than Earth's but not like Venus's it could counter act the tidal lock enough to make the darker size warmer, and the sunny side a bit cooler.

I am going to look through my app which has habitable zones, and I will post all thought habitable.

[Naru523]

I have an app for exoplanets. Lots of gas giants 

[atomic7732]

You have an iPod/iPhone? Cool. What's the app called? Mine is Exoplanets. IT's Free AND EPIC

[Naru523]

Same thing.

[atomic7732]

Yay!

[FiahOwl]

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