Kepler space telescope could find two new planetary systems, which include just three super-Earths. And all of them are located in the so-called habitable zone, and two of them are pretty close to the parameters of our own planet. So, there was a ghost, but the chance that we still are not alone in the universe!
Super-Earths on the astronomical slang called planet whose mass is the mass of the Earth, but much less than the mass of the gas giants (1-10 Earth masses). Typically, these include the terrestrial planets, consisting of rock. In our solar system, the planets of this type does not.
In this case we are talking about the system Kepler-62, located in the constellation Lyra, 200 light-years from Earth. While there found five planets. Three of them are classified as terrestrial body, but are too close to the luminary and more like a hot Mercury and Venus. A further two revolve around orange dwarf type K2V, luminosity which is five times lower and the dimensions of a half times less than that of the sun.
In this case, Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f do turn around its star, respectively, for 122 and 247 days. The first of these planets, 61 percent exceeding the diameter of our Earth rotates on the inner edge of the habitable zone, and the second, which is larger than the Earth is only a 41 per cent - is closer to the center.
Scientists have determined that the amount of light emission produced by these planets per unit surface equal to Kepler-62e and 62f, respectively, 1,2 ± 0,2 and 0,41 ± 0,05. Some experts doubt that the planet receives from its star to 20 percent more energy than our Earth is, in principle, can be inhabited. But there are opposing views. In particular, some researchers believe that even on Venus uncomfortable when carrying a magnetic field could be a life terrestrial species.
Kepler-62 system is much older than the solar, with an estimated her age is illiardov about seven years, which is 2.5 billion years older than our own. According to theoretical calculations, the planets of this size, formed in systems such venerable age, are not neptunopodobnymi and rigid bodies terrestrial.
Thus, the star Kepler-69, which belongs to the spectral class G4V, located in the constellation Cygnus that of 2700 light-years from Earth, according to their parameters is much closer to the Sun, its diameter is 93 percent, and the luminosity - 80 percent of the sun. The radius of the closest to the planet Kepler-69b to 2,24 ± 0,4 larger than the Earth. It must be too hot to be habitable. But the planet Kepler-69c with a radius of 1,7 ± 0,3 earth removed from the lights in the distance, suggests that it is in the habitable zone. However, scientists are confused that she gets too much radiation: 1.91 +0,43-0,56. It#39;s not clear where does this flow of energy, but in theory the planet is habitable.
While not able to identify a number of important parameters: the masses of the planets above are too small to have their gravity could affect the mother light, so it is impossible to identify any mass or density of these planets.
However, a team of scientists led by Lisa Kaltenegger of the Institute of Astronomy, the Max Planck Society (Germany) still expressed assumptions about the composition of the surface and Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f. The researchers modeled the parameters of both planets, based on the hypothesis that their composition is similar to that of the earth. Considering the amount of radiation they receive, and all the possible values of gravity, the experts came to the conclusion that there must be a considerable thickness layer of water - up to 80-150 kilometers. Since 62f is not a lot of heat, it may have a solid surface and have significant size ice caps, except that the origin of life.
These planets are not like anything in our system, - said Ms. Kaltenegger. - They are covered in the vast ocean. There may be life, but if she could have a technology base that is similar to ours? Life in these worlds to be underwater, with the lack of easy access to metals, electricity or fire, which is necessary for the development of the industry. Nevertheless, this beautiful blue planet orbiting the orange stars, and perhaps the ingenuity of life in reaching the stage of technological development will surprise us.
