Kepler 186f : A New Earth?

Orbiting around 500 light years from Earth, in the Cygnus constellation, is an exoplanet scientists call Kepler 186f. First observed in 2014 by Elisa Quintana at the Kepler Space Observatory, the discovery has excited astronomers and alien aficionados alike.

Why? Because Kepler 186f is less than 10% larger than Earth, it orbits its own star, not unlike our sun, and it might contain the right atmospheric conditions to house life as we know it. In other words, Kepler 186f is considered by NASA to be ‘Earth-like.’

What does Earth-like mean? For an exoplanet to be deemed Earth-like, it should be of similar size, mass, and composition and be orbiting a star. A rocky, terrestrial planet composed of silicate rock and metal with a metal core, a mantle, and a crust.

Previous to the discovery of Kepler 186f, the award for most Earth-like planet went to Kepler 62f, 40 percent larger than Earth and orbiting in its star’s habitable zone. Thanks to the Kepler observatory, over 3,200 exoplanets are now considered ‘habitable.’

It is one of 5 planets orbiting a nearby red dwarf star. It circles every 130 days from 32.5 million miles away. NASA suggests that noon on Kepler 186f is like a sunset on Earth. If this star is anything like our sun, the likelihood of Kepler 186f sustaining life increases.

Kepler 186fs star is likely much cooler and redder than our sun. Any photosynthesis taking place would be influenced by the red wavelength photons, which inspired the artist’s rendition you see above. Kepler 186f may be lightly illuminated, basking in an orange-red glow.

The Goldilocks Zone is the name given to the habitable zone around a star within which planets with enough atmospheric pressure can sustain liquid water on the surface. Water is essential for organisms to survive.

“We know of only one planet where life survives– Earth. When we hunt for life outside our solar system, we emphasis on discovering planets with features that mimic that of Earth,” said Elisa Quintana, research scientist & lead author of the paper published in the journal Science.

“Discovering a habitable zone planet similar to Earth in size is a major breakthrough.” That’s what differentiates this discovery. The exoplanet Kepler 186f is not only Earth-like but Earth-sized.   

What this discovery means to the existence of extra-terrestrial life is unknown. Just because life could exist on other planets doesn’t mean it does. NASA will continue searching for any sign of life.

Kepler 186f – Where the grass is always redder on the other side!