“Goldilocks Planet” Just Right for Extraterrestrial Life

Thursday, 30 September 2010 | by Pat's Picks

Astronomers are calling their latest discovery the “Goldilocks planet.” Why? Because it’s not too hot and not too cold. In fact, it may be just right to house extraterrestrial life says the Washington Post. The planet, which goes by the technical name of Gliese 581G is almost 20 light years away from the Earth’s solar system. Its size and distance from the sun are what have convinced scientists that the planet is habitable. They also say their discovery offers evidence that there may be other habitable planets out there.

More about the exoplanet from NASA, which partially funded the research leading to its discovery.

(Photo courtesy of NASA)