Our galaxy contains far more habitable Earth-like planets than previously thought, according to a UC Berkeley-led analysis. The study finds that about one in five of the sun-like stars in the Milky Way may have planets approximately the size of Earth, capable of holding liquid water, and bathed in sunlight. We discuss the findings, which are based on observations by NASA’s Kepler space telescope.
The Search for Habitable Planets
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Guests:
Andrew Fraknoi, chair of the Astronomy Program at Foothill College
Erik Petigura, graduate student in astronomy at UC Berkeley who led the analysis of the Kepler data
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