The discovery of life on planet Gliese 581g

Astronomers seem to have found a new racket, which is observing a planet called Earth's twin. This planet has a characteristic that seems to accommodate life. So, maybe we're not alone in this vast universe.

Previously I thought Batlleship movie that aired recently and posed a threat arrival of intelligent life from the planet called Gliese planet. Whether or not the existence of the planet exactly like Earth's structure. Let us digest the theory below.
Gliese 581

It all stems from a star called Gliese 581. Gliese name (read: Glee-zuh) derived from the name of the German astronomer, Wihelm Gliese, who first cataloged this star in 1957.

This star is a dwarf / red dwarf (red dwarf), one of the most common type of star in the galaxy galaxy. He is located in the constellation Libra, the sun and its mass about one-third the distance from the earth about 20.5 light-years away. This makes the star Gliese 581-117 from the nearest to the earth. It's far enough. Without a telescope, we can not see it.

However, Gliese 581 has an advantage, and it was enough for him to be excellent astronomers.

habitable Zone
According to astronomers, one way to find life on other planets is to find the first life-supporting elements. And the most important element is water.

As far as we are as human beings, the planet Earth is the only planet that has life in it. God created this planet is so perfect that he put his position at the right distance from the sun.

If the earth closer to the sun 2 percent, then the creatures will roast and water in it will evaporate and disappear. If the earth farther from the sun 2 percent, then all life would die because of the low temperatures at the surface and the water will freeze.

The position of the earth to the sun is called the Habitable Zone or the Goldilocks Zone. At this position, the water does not evaporate or freeze, so life could evolve.

Planet Gliese 581g
At the last observation, astronomers have found at least 400 planets orbiting the stars behind the sun (extrasolar). Of which six planets orbiting the star Gliese 581. And the planets are in a position Habitable Zone. This is what makes this discovery is quite horrendous.


If we analogy with our solar system, the star Gliese 581 functions like a "sun" (Sun itself is a star), while the six planets as the planets in our solar system.

Six mysterious planet was later named after the star name attached to them. So, the astronomers (who seemed less creative) gives the name of each planet as Gliese 581e, b, c, g, d and f.

Of the six planets, Gliese 581g is the most likely accommodate life.

Astronomers estimate that Gliese 581C has the characteristics such as Venus. While Gliese 581d has the characteristics such as Mars.

Gliese 581g is in between the position of Gliese 581C (which like Venus) and Gliese 581d (which is like Mars). If re menganalogikannya with our solar system, then it means that Gliese 581g is in a position similar to the earth (which is between Mars and Venus). So, there is a possibility that the planet also has similar characteristics to the earth.

Then, if Gliese 581g could be called a twin earth?

Not really. Try to compare its characteristics with the planet Earth.

Gliese 581g has a diameter of 1.2 to 1.4 times Earth's. Its mass is about 3.1 to 4.3 times the mass of Earth. Surface temperatures ranging from -31 degrees Celsius to -12 degrees Celsius. This planet is likely to have gravity similar to Earth and one year on the same planet with 37 Earth days.

Interestingly, the position of the planet is "locked" (tidal locked) with the star. That is, the time he needs to rotate on the same axis with the time he needs to surround the star. This causes one side of the planet is always in darkness and the other side always have light. This position is also owned by the Moon to the Earth. If we realize that, every night, in fact we always look at the surface of the moon that has an image as a rabbit.

Although it is not too similar to the Earth, according to the astronomers, the characteristics of its still possible for life to develop. However, the mystery surrounding the planet is increasing in Australia when an astronomer named Dr.Ragbir Bhathal claimed to have received a mysterious signal from the direction of Gliese 581 in December 2008. Dr.Bhathal is a member of the SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligent) Australian branch. SETI itself is an organization formed specifically to search for communications signals from outer space.

Could the Gliese 581g residents send a signal to the earth?

Is there really life on the planet?

How else menganggapinya Astronomer?
For the inventor, there is no doubt. He believes the planet has life. Steven Vogt, an astronomer at the University of California who discovered it, said in a press conference:

"In my feeling, the possibility of life on this planet are 100 percent. I do not doubt it."

But, If we are asked Vogt to prove it, then it looks like it will be a big problem. Therefore, co-Vogt, Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, who participated in the press conference immediately straighten Vogt statement. He says:

"Any discussion about the existence of life on this planet purely speculative. Question is more appropriate, if the planet contains water, how can we be sure that there is no life there?"

Yup, this is more rational statement.

Not only for Butler, for other astronomers, Vogt also considered excessive claims.

Phil Plait, astronomer and writer who has a website that claims Vogt badastronomer.com assume exaggerated by media. He was says:

"Claiming that Gliese 581g has a 100 percent chance of life is something that is very excessive. Problem is we only have one sample that had a life planet (Earth)."