Alright, planets, you’re back on our good side. It’s possible that there may be other intelligent life out there after all! Using a powerful telescope, European astronomers have discovered that there are billions of Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. These planets are anywhere between one and 10 times the size of the Earth and have enough heat and water to support biological life.
The Milky Way has 160 billion red dwarf stars, which are sort of like small, less hot suns. Forty percent of these stars have a planet orbiting around them at the right distance to make it possible for living things to survive on them.
So, of course these finds bring up a burning question: are there aliens? If so, do they want to kill us?
Scientists are skeptical about them having intelligent life because the planets are subjected to high levels of x-rays and ultraviolet radiation, which are both quite damaging to people and plants.
Nevertheless, astronomers intend to continue exploring the possibility of alien life on these “super Earths” by studying their atmospheres. Who knows, we may soon discover that our neighbours are little green men who have actually been watching us all this time.Or we may have a planet #2 to go to when we’ve officially used ours up.