6 Billion Earth-Like Planets Could Be Filling the Milky Way Galaxy, Astronomers Say

While the sound of just one earth may seem sufficient, researchers have suggested that there could be billions of planets that are similar to earth. In fact, Space Academy reports that there could be around 6 billion earth-like planets across the Milky Way Galaxy.

6 Billion Earth-Like Planets in the Milky Way Galaxy

This was according to a study included in the Astronomical Journal. As part of the study, University of British Columbia (UBC) astronomers looked into data generated from the Kepler mission of NASA. It was through this analysis that they were able to come up with such a great estimate of up to 6 billion earth-like planets. The data regarding 200,000 different stars was gathered from 2009 up to 2018 by the planet-hunting craft.

Futurism reports that the astronomers made use of an algorithm to compare planets previously seen by Kepler with ones that popped up when filling in probable exoplanets rotating certain stars that were also spotted by Kepler.

The specific criteria that the astronomers used to identify such earth-like planets was that they should have been similarly sized with earth, rocky, and have an orbit around a star like the sun. The planet should also be situated within its star's habitable zone, where life and water could potentially flourish.

Co-author and researcher Michelle Kunimoto from UBC noted that their calculations add a higher ceiling of 0.18 planets similar to earth for each G-type of star. This means that the ratio is around 5 planets for each sun.

Space Academy also reports that co-author and UB astronomer Jaymie Matthews also expresses this in a fresh perspective. The Milky Way Galaxy has up to 400 billion stars and 7% of these stars are G-type ones. Matthews notes that this means that below 6 billion stars across the Milky Way Galaxy could have earth-like planets of their own.

To proceed with the study, Kunimoto used a methodology called forward modeling, which enabled the overcoming of the concern regarding how earth-like planets are difficult to spot due their small size and distant orbit.

Implications of Estimates

Though the astronomers were able to come up with a remarkable estimation regarding the quantity of possible earth-like planets, this does not equate to the actual number of earth-like planets across the entire Milky Way Galaxy. It also does not mean that each one facilitates life just as the earth. However, such estimates do broaden the possibilities regarding similar planets within the solar system.

Science Alert also notes how this projection serves as a helpful tool for specialists to proceed with. It can come in especially handy when it comes to the search for such planetary classes and understanding more about earth life across the vast and wide universe.

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