8 New (Very) Earth-Like Planets Have Been Discovered

Source: David A. Aguilar (CfA)

Humans may have just found ET's home. NASA's Kepler mission found eight new exoplanets (anything that orbits a star outside our solar system), two of which are very Earth-like. In fact, they're the most Earth-like discoveries yet, and scientists are optimistic about these temperate worlds. The two planets, named Kepler 438b and 442b, exist in a distant star system's "habitable zone," which is a not-too-hot and not-too-cold area where liquid water can exist. They're warmer than Kepler's former promising candidates, 186f and 62f. New discovery 438b is only 12 percent larger than Earth but receives 30 percent less light. Exciting news, nonetheless.

"Each result from the planet-hunting Kepler mission's treasure trove of data takes us another step closer to answering the question of whether we are alone in the universe," said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate. The latest development is so encouraging, that NASA came up with conceptual mission posters. The prints are minimalist, futuristic, and just plain awesome. Stay tuned for more exoplanet findings!