Pixabay
Pixabay

Astronomers have discovered seven new Earth-size planets orbiting a single star 40 light-years away. Part of the TRAPPIST-1 system is located in a habitable zone, which means there could be liquid water and life outside of the planet we call home.

According to NASA’s press release, this “discovery sets a new record for greatest number of habitable-zone planets found around a single star outside our solar system.” The results, which were published in the journal Nature, are just the first step in further observations of the newly-discovered system.

Furthermore, the planets are more than likely rocky and very close to one another. “If a person was standing on one of the planet’s surface, they could gaze up and potentially see geological features or clouds of neighboring worlds, which would sometimes appear larger than the moon in Earth’s sky,” according to the press release. They could also be tidally locked to their star, meaning that each side has a permanent night and a permanent day. Concept art and a virtual-reality video visualization helped illustrate how the planets may look.

Evidence suggests the Milky Way is full of many more Earth-like planets. Other Earth-like planets have previously been discovered and as more observation takes place, the more scientists will know about the solar system and the potential for finding life outside of Earth.

Social Media Reacts to Discovery of Earth-Like Planets

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