Kepler: the planet giving life

Mankind has long been hoping to find a planet in the sky, similar to our own. The first planet, not belonging to our solar system, was
Was discovered back in 2009. However, according to all the characteristics available to us, it is absolutely not suitable for the emergence of life. There was a need for
Apparatus that could constantly observe the starry sky, analyzing all the changes. In addition, it was necessary to provide this device with the possibility
One area of the sky is constantly observed, which can not be done from the surface of the earth. All this led to the launch of the Kepler space telescope in 2009,
Which is to search for exoplanets.

Objectives

The device, launched by NASA, was called "Kepler." The planet for which this telescope was created can be located at any distance from our system.
Therefore, a transit method is used to search for exoplanets. It consists in observing a small section of the sky and measuring the brightness of the stars. When passing by the star
The planet passes, the brightness decreases somewhat. It is on this basis and you can find out if there is a body of a planetary type. To set a period
And the number of planets, it is necessary to observe the star for at least three years. Only after this can be argued that the brightness of the star is reduced by
The reason for the passage of an exoplanet.

In addition, there may be not so few planets on which life can or has been formed. That is why Kepler has been functioning for so many years and there is currently no need to stop this project.

Achievements

For today, by means of "Kepler", more than 4 hundred exoplanets are opened. All newly discovered names of the telescope, with the assignment of the serial number and letter. The letter shows how many planets a star has.

Of the hundreds of open several may well be suitable for life, showed "Kepler". Planet 186f, for example, at one time was seriously considered the "twin" of the Earth. but
At present, we can not be sure of the real fitness of all the discovered planets. After all, among other things, in order to be able to assert,
That the heavenly body is suitable for life, it is necessary to study a lot of really suitable ones. We have the opportunity to study only one planet, for sure
Suitable for life - the Earth. This amount of material is extremely small. But based on known facts, scientists believe that for the emergence of any life
The presence of water in a liquid form is necessary. This parameter made it possible to introduce such a notion as a "habitation zone" - here there are planets on which, thanks to
A favorable distance from the star, there may be liquid water. In this zone the water has a chance not to evaporate and not to freeze. The presence of a liquid also depends on the brightness
Stars, and from the remoteness of the planet itself from the luminary.

Second Earth

What needs to be further clarified in order to state that a planet similar to the Earth was discovered ? "Kepler," however, this information is not given to us
can. It was created only to detect the very presence of an exoplanet. Nevertheless, we know for sure that the characteristics of the planet can be completely different.
For example, even the discovered gas giant can not be a guarantee that there is no water on it. After all, he may well have a satellite with a suitable atmosphere.

Many factors are responsible for the probability of occurrence of life known to us: the presence of satellites, distance from the star, activity of the luminary, the presence of unstable
Stars in the neighborhood, giant planets in the stellar system. Based on the data known to us, scientists suggest that life can arise, first of all, on those
Planets that are as much as possible like our own - revolving around a sun-like star in a similar orbit that has a similar mass, age,
Radius and other parameters. Such a multitude of requirements for the "second Earth" leads to the fact that the discovery of planets that are similar to the Earth, causes violent emotions
Scientists and philistines. At present, two exoplanets have been discovered, which require closer attention, since they may well be those for which the astronomical Kepler satellite was created. Planet 186F and 452b.

Kepler 186f

186f Kepler - the planet was discovered in April 2014. Despite the considerable distance, it was possible to find out a lot about it: it revolves around a red dwarf with a periodicity of 130 terrestrial days, larger than the Earth by 10%. Rotates in an orbit passing along the outer edge of the habitation zone. The statement of astrophysicists was greeted with enthusiasm, immediately a lot of ordinary people and even quite respected publications began to assume the appearance of the planet, its characteristics and those bonuses that the Earth could receive from such a "sister". However, over time, scientists managed to return the visionaries to reality.

In order to accurately say how life is likely on the planet, it is necessary to have much more data. For example, you need to find out if
Atmosphere, its composition, composition and nature of the planet itself, surface temperature and many other characteristics. At present, we do not have the equipment,
Capable of at such a huge distance to find out all the factors that interest us. However, in the 2020s, such a mechanism is planned to be launched into orbit,
For a detailed study of exoplanets.

How many fly to the planet Kepler 186f? Well, it's practically next to us - it's only some 400 light-years away.

Kepler 452b

It is located from us a little further away - at a distance of 1400 light years. The star around which this probable "twin" of the Earth rotates is similar to our Sun.
The orbit of Kepler 452b is almost identical to the terrestrial one. The day is equal to our 385 days. The size of the planet is much larger than the Earth - the radius is more by 60%. In this way,
If the density of this planet is the same as that of the Earth, then it will weigh 4 times more, which will lead to a greater gravity - 1.5 times. The age of the stellar system, in
Which "lives" the planet of interest to us, 6 billion years, against 4.5 - the age of our Sun.

Can there be life on this planet? Can. But it may not be. Until accurate and up-to-date equipment will appear that will allow us to study the planets,
Located at such huge distances, we can not say exactly what this and the others are, we will not be able to see a photo of the planet Kepler 452b and others like it.