Earth-like planet found

[NightBazaar]

Originally Posted by Canaan-84

Why do people assume that other planets need the same type of atmosphere to have life? Can't it also be possible for other life forms to breath different types of gases?

Sure, you're quite right. It's very possible other life forms could adapt to other kinds of gasses. Our atmosphere could be toxic to some forms of life. But then who says other life forms need to breath? Maybe some just absorb what they need.

I think one reason it seems common to make a comparison with Earth's atmosphere is because life on Earth is certainly something we're more familiar with. However, we're better aware now that there could be other conditions and atmospheres that could allow for life to develop that would be impossible for us. Perhaps part of it is just wondering if there are any other planets in the galaxy that really are like the Earth. It'd be interesting to find one, and it would tell us that the atmospheric conditions on Earth isn't so unique.

By the way, when the term "earthlike planets" is used, it's usually to describe rocky planets that are in what we consider to be a "habitable zone". Not too far from a parent star, and not too close, which can allow for water (if there is any) to be in a liquid state on the surface.

[Canaan-84]

Originally Posted by NightBazaar

I took a better look at the info on the planet. Temp is estimated at about 298 degrees Kelvin (77 degrees Fahrenheit). I'm not sure how the temp was determined. I was wrong about Thailand though. Thailand is hotter . If its orbit is a little farther out than Venus is from the Sun, seems like it'd be warmer than 77 degrees. A temp comparison is that it's similar to the South of France..

The reason it might not be as hot is because the Star it orbits is smaller than our Sun and is also much cooler.

[NightBazaar]

Originally Posted by Canaan-84

The reason it might not be as hot is because the Star it orbits is smaller than our Sun and is also much cooler.

You're right. Still, if the planet HD85512b is estimated at 77 about F, it's cooler than the annual mean average between high and low temps in Bangkok Thailand, which works out to about 82-86 F, depending on varying sources. I'd lean more toward the higher temp. It's hot and humid. From what I can dig up, just for the sake of comparison with HD85512b, the annual average temp of the Earth appears to be around 58 F.

[orogenicman]

Very interesting find. Cudos to the folks at the European Southern Observatory.