Kepler 22b
Kepler-22b is the first extra-solar planet, in the habitable zone of its star. It is believed to be a promising spot to search for life. But at 600 light-years away. The planet is estimated at 2.4 times larger in diameter in Earth, with a comfortable average surface temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). It also contains the right atmosphere to potentially support life.
Dubbed the "Goldilocks Zone", this is the band where temperatures are just right to allow the existence of surface liquid water throughout its orbit. This means the planet could have continents and oceans just like the Earth, and where there is liquid water, there could also be life, they say.
Scientists believe Kepler 22b may not only be habitable, but possibly already even inhabited.
Dubbed the "Goldilocks Zone", this is the band where temperatures are just right to allow the existence of surface liquid water throughout its orbit. This means the planet could have continents and oceans just like the Earth, and where there is liquid water, there could also be life, they say.
Scientists believe Kepler 22b may not only be habitable, but possibly already even inhabited.
Kepler 22b Statistics
- Host Star: Kepler 22
- Host Star Type: Yellow Dwarf - G Type Main Sequence
- Host Star Mass: 98% of Sun
- Constellation: Cygnus
- Distance from Earth: 620 light years
- Planets Detected in System: 1
- Discovery Date: 5th December 2011
- Detection Method: Transit Method
- Exoplanet Type: Super Earth
- Mass: Around 6 to 14 x Earth depending on composition
- Diameter: 2.4 x Earth
- Distance from host star: 79 million miles (128 million km)
- Orbital Period: 290 days
- Atmosphere: Unknown.
- Temperature: Unknown, With a similar atmospheric composition to Earth surface temperatures would be around 22C (72F).
- Gravity: Unknown, an Earth like composition would result in gravity around 2.4 x Earth.
- Possibility of Life: With an Earth like composition and atmosphere it is possible life could exist in its oceans.
