Scientists discover more than 20 ‘superhabitable’ planets with conditions better than earth

By MiNDFOOD

Scientists discover more than 20 ‘superhabitable’ planets with conditions better than earth
24 planets have been discovered with conditions suitable for life to thrive.

Scientists from Washington State University led the study published in the journal Astrobiology which identified a total of 24 “superhabitable” planets.

To determine the conditions for life, the scientists created a “superhabitability criteria” which they measured up against 4,500 known exoplanets.

Rather than looking for signs of life, the scientists searched for the conditions that were needed for life to survive, such as age, size, water and greater surface temperature.

Of the 24 planets, none of them met all the criteria, however, one planet did meet four of the key characteristics, meaning it could have better conditions for life than Earth.

“It’s sometimes difficult to convey this principle of superhabitable planets because we think we have the best planet,” explained lead researcher Professor Dirk Schulze-Makuch.

“We have a great number of complex and diverse lifeforms, and many that can survive in extreme environments. It is good to have adaptable life, but that doesn’t mean that we have the best of everything.”

The planets sit more than 100 light years away, making it difficult to analyse them up close. However, the researchers say the findings could prove helpful in future telescopic observations.

“With the next space telescopes coming up, we will get more information, so it is important to select some targets,” said Professor Schulze-Makuch.

“We have to focus on certain planets that have the most promising conditions for complex life.”

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