Kepler-22b

[Mistress Kitti]

Nasa has confirmed the Kepler spacecraft's discovery of its 1st alien world which has the possibility to sustain an average surface temp of 72 degrees and has the ability to allow liquid water to exist. This potentially habitable alien world orbits a star very much like our own sun. Kepler-22b is located apprx 600 light years away with a radius 2.4 times that of our Earth.

According to scientists, the $600 million Kepler observatory was initiated specifically to 'hunt' for Earth-size alien planets where liquid water, perhaps life, might be able to exist. Since Kepler 1st set out upon its quest, there has been 1,235 planet candidates (54 in the habitable zone - a just-right range of distances that could allow liquid water to exist & 68 that are roughly Earth-size).

Of the 2,326 candidate planets Kepler has found so far, 207 are apprx Earth-size. 680 are a bit larger, putting them in the 'super-Earth' category. 48 of which are within habitable zones of their stars. Over 24 of the potential exoplanets have been confirmed, but Kepler scientists estaimated that at least 80% of Kepler's discoveries should end up being the real deal.

This is cited as a major milestone of finding Earth's twin. o.o

Now, this all being said...it would be grossly egotistic and assumptious for any of us 'Earthlings' to think we could possibly be the 'only' living social structure in our solar system.

What say you? Do you feel we are getting closer to finding 'other' life forms? What happens if/when we do 'make contact'? Who's willing to play planetary hop scotch and try out this new world once determined life can be sustained upon a planet such as Kepler-22b?

[TheGr8UNKy]

I saw this on the news this morning. It's pretty interesting. Now i just wonder if it is currently home to some kind of life form.

If we do meet another life form, it'll be like how we are now. We'll all be friends for a couple of seconds, and then it'll be war of the worlds.

[rasterbee]

It's 600 light years away, Grunky.

[Crushking33]

[TheGr8UNKy]

It's 600 light years away, Grunky.

And your point is? I'm sure if there is another form of like out there somewhere, it's more advanced than us.

[Mistress Kitti]

lol

Okay, so the idea currently if/when we do meet new life forms. BAFF?? And then? Planetary take over. Is there no hope for world peace even amongst the planets?

BTW? The ticket price would be quite a bit more than $5 o.O I gotta pull in the funds if I plan on jumpin ship! But as Ras says...we're 600 light years away. I suppose Nasa will have to design a 'beam me up Scotty-like' device to get us there in a more timely manner. 600 light years away...does anyone know the calculations on apprx how long it would actually take to get there?

[rasterbee]

The point is that when we make contact with life outside our planet it will be just communication. We can't fly very far very fast. Even if they are more advanced than us your sci-fi inspired ideas about space travel are ludicrous. Our contact will be more akin to HAM radio conversations than anything else.

Earth: "Hi guys, how are you?"
Them: "Good, and yourself?"
Earth: "Um, we're ok. A few problems but ok overall. Hey can you fly 600 light years within one generation yet?"
Them: "No, you?"
Earth: "Nah, me either. Ok lets get on skype and trade some music. Bye!"

600 light years away...does anyone know the calculations on apprx how long it would actually take to get there? [/I]

Light years is a distance/time measurement, Kitti. So it would take 600 light year to get there.

[TheGr8UNKy]

does anyone know the calculations on apprx how long it would actually take to get there?

I've read that it would take 2 million years to get there.

[rasterbee]

With what kind of transportation traveling at what speed, Grunky?

[TheGr8UNKy]

With what kind of transportation traveling at what speed, Grunky?

I think the website I checked was incorrect.

I just did the math myself.

A space shuttle going at the speed of 17500 mph.

Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. 60 (seconds) x 60 (minutes) x 24 (hours) x 365 (days) = 31,536,000 seconds in a year.

31,536,000 x 186,000 = 5,865,696,000,000

1 light year = 5,865,696,000,000 miles

5,865,696,000,000 x 600 = 41,195,881,400,000,000 miles

41,195,881,400,000,000 miles / 17500 mph = 235,404,651,428.5714 hours

235,404,651,428.5714 miles / 24 (hours in a day) = 9,808,527,142.857143 days

9,808,527,142.857143 miles / 365 (days in a year) = 26,872,677.1037182 years