Astronomers identify most likely habitable Earthlike planet yet that no-one reading this will ever live on

[beschizza]

Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2024/05/25/nasa-identifies-most-likely-habitable-earthlike-planet-yet-that-no-one-reading-this-will-ever-live-on.html

…

[FGD135]

So, just like the Kessel Run, basically. Where’s the problem?

[DiveGirl]

I know a habitable planet worth living on. You’re living on it right now.

This does NOT get said enough, FFS.

[smulder]

@beschizza

habitable

Gliese 12 b orbits slightly closer than the inner edge of its star’s habitable zone, with an insolation between those of Earth and Venus.[6] Its equilibrium temperature, assuming zero albedo, is 315 K (42 °C; 107 °F); if it has an atmosphere, the surface temperature would be greater than this.[5]

[Shuck]

“Habitable” (in theory) by something - just not, you know, us.

[smulder]

… I suppose it could be cooler at the poles, or on the dark side if it’s tide-locked

[Shuck]

Which seems like would create its own set of problems making it uninhabitable for humans.

[chenille]

Zero albedo is an odd assumption though. If the surface isn’t all covered in black obsidian it would probably be a little cooler instead.

[smulder]

… for future reference

Equilibrium Temperatures of Planets

Planetary equilibrium temperature - Wikipedia

EDIT: apparently the Earth is 40°C warmer than its “equilibrium,” so I guess we’re supposed to assume an “earthlike” planet would be too

Gliese 12b’s equilibrium temperature is 55°C higher than ours, which would make the tropics uninhabitable but maybe not the poles

Where is the coldest place on Earth?

[Doctor_Faustus]

@beschizza

that no-one reading this will ever live on

You don’t know me, or how I vote!

World Politics

A party for millennials Across Europe, party strategists are trying to determine which arguments resonate with the young or the old. Now, there’s a party for the millennials: not the generation of voters born around the turn of the last millennium – but those hoping to ring in the next one, in the year 3000. Alongside mainstream parties like the Christian Democrats and Socialists, voters in Germany can choose from a host of options dedicated to vegetarianism, humanism and animal rights. Or…

[peterk]

Huh. Interesting.
I thought someone had told me awhile ago that conditions around red dwarf stars were not expected to be great for Earth-like worlds. A quick search now finds a whole Wikipedia article pointing out complications with the idea.

Habitability of red dwarf systems

[weekendlites]

You beat me

[killick]

I can see Earth from my house.

Seriously, the headline on Space.com called this planet 'tantalizingly close" at 40 light years. We are NOT leaving this solar system, people, and all the other planets around here are not earth-like.

[chenille]

Tantalizing from the story of Tantalus, who was tormented with the sight of things he wanted but could never actually reach. Sounds about right.

[Otherbrother]

@FGD135

So, just like the Kessel Run, basically.

Does that mean it’s really closer to 13 parsecs?

[hecep]

@Shuck

“Habitable” (in theory) by something - just not, you know, us.

Texas-style welcome sign on Gliese 12b’s outermost moon: WELCOME. DO NOT DECELERATE. CONTINUE APPROACH FOR PLANET GRAVITY ASSIST FOR DEPARTURE FROM OUR SYSTEM… HONYOCKER.

[anon29537550]

Exceptional Earth Sized Planet in the Habitable Zone Found 40 Light Years Away

Anton did a nice summary of this one.

[AnthonyC]

I really don’t get the snark. Who cares that we’ll never live on it? Finding strong evidence of even moderately Earth-like planets, so close by astronomically speaking, is a huge find. It suggests planets we can expect to capable of supporting (some form of) life are likely to be very common, not some rare fluke. Yes, we have been slowly learning that over the past few decades as more and more data came in. But still, this is just genuinely cool.