In our search for extraterrestrial life, we must first figure out where to look. With so many new planets being discovered every day, we start with determining which ones are likely to have liquid water, that being the thing we believe that makes a planet likely to support life. We also have to look at the planet’s composition (liquid, solid or gas), along with its density and size. Finally, does that planet exist in its star’s habitable zone? All of these factors are important in determining the habitability of a planet.
A group of researchers have come up with a mathematical solution to find out how many planets in our own galaxy could support life. And it’s a lot more than we probably ever imagined. Their computational method suggests that at least 100 million planets in the Milky Way are habitable. And these planets don’t just harbor microbial life, but more complex life forms (although they are probably not intelligent beings like us).
via DVICE
Image credit: PHL at UPR Arecibo, NASA, Richard Wheeler at Zephyris
