New Earth-sister Kepler 452b announced by NASA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the announcement of Kepler 452b, a newly discovered exoplanet that shares characteristics with Earth. Participants explore its potential habitability, implications for the existence of other similar planets, and the technology available for further study. The conversation includes speculative ideas about extraterrestrial life and the limitations of current detection methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight that Kepler 452b is the first candidate that meets criteria of being small, rocky, and in the habitable zone of a G2 star.
  • There are discussions about the operational status of the Kepler telescope and whether future telescopes are planned to replace it.
  • Several participants suggest using radio telescopes to listen for signals from potential extraterrestrial civilizations.
  • Concerns are raised about the feasibility of detecting signals from civilizations that may have existed long ago, given the distance of Kepler 452b.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the planet's atmospheric conditions and whether current technology can analyze it from such a distance.
  • Speculation arises regarding the age of Kepler 452b and the possibility that any advanced civilization may no longer exist or may have evolved beyond recognition.
  • There is a critique of the media's presentation of artist's concept drawings of the planet without clear labeling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement on the significance of the discovery while also presenting competing views on the implications for extraterrestrial life and the limitations of current technology. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential for life and the methods to study the planet's atmosphere.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of current knowledge regarding Kepler 452b's composition and atmosphere, as well as the challenges posed by its distance from Earth. There is also mention of the assumptions made about the planet's formation and the potential for detecting signals from advanced civilizations.

  • #61
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
A tragedy this planet is so far away. At this distance it's very difficult to analyze the planets properties and all we can do are assumptions about the surface and interior. There may yet be types of planets we know nothing about and hence we cannot say for sure if this planet is earth-like at all. But every discovery is a step towards new knowledge and so I am very glad we kno finally about a potential earth-like planet around a sun-like star. The other information on the website are very interesting. If one boldly assumes there evolved intelligent life on this planet, the civilization could be very likely ahead of us or already lost to extinction. Well, listening won't hurt anyone...
 
  • #63
Arctura said:
If one boldly assumes there evolved intelligent life on this planet, the civilization could be very likely ahead of us or already lost to extinction. Well, listening won't hurt anyone...

A civilization could also be less advanced than us too. The planet may be older than Earth but live could have evolved later than it did here.
 
  • #64
LeDragonian said:
Maybe they have a less annoying Cpt. T. Kirk.
Or less whiny members on their physics forums.
 
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