On April 21st researchers of the European Organization for Astronomical Research announced the discovery of another extrasolar planet orbiting around the red dwarf star Gliese 581. This planet, labeled as Gliese 581e, is the least massive exoplanet to be detected yet. Such low-mass exoplanets promise the possibility of a rocky surface as opposed to the more easily detected gaseous planets, most of which surpass Jupiter in size.
Michel Mayor from the Geneva Observatory says that “the holy grail of current exoplanet research is the detection of a rocky, Earth-like planet in the ‘habitable zone’.”
Gliese 581e lies outside of that zone, but along with this newest addition to the star system researchers have also reevaluated their opinion on the 2007 spotted Gliese 581d. They are now placing its orbit well within the habitual zone. And although it is probably too massive to consist solely of rocky material, it is very likely that its surface is covered by ice or even water. “It is the first serious ‘water world’ candidate”, says Stephane Udry.
By now enthusiasts all around the world are probably starting to pack up their stuff in hopes that those smart heads of rocket science will finally develop a transport capable of traveling to the farthest reaches of space. Afterall why bother worrying about ecological problems if you could just as easily move on to the next inhabitable planet?
Let’s just hope E.T. doesn’t mind a horde of ‘blundering, stupid apes’ invading his homeworld and introducing natives to the finer points of human culture...such as McDonalds or Starbucks.
