Feb. 22, 2016 - TRAPPIST-1 is a tiny star. And in keeping with its small size, its cluster of seven recently-discovered planets orbit at very close range. But it's not just their orbits that make these exoplanets special. Through a series of calculations based on their mutual gravity and speed, scientists have found that these planets are of a similar size and density to Earth. Of the seven planets, three are at a distance favorable to liquid water, much closer in this case than Earth to the sun, since TRAPPIST-1 produces much less energy than our own star. What’s more, in galactic terms the TRAPPIST-1 system is very close to us, making it possible to study the atmospheres of these worlds, to see if they hold chemical signs of life. Video: European Southern Observatory
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Scientists have identified multiple Earth-like planets orbiting a nearby star at distances possibly conducive to life.
