An Eye on Earth- Search of Hidden Worlds

A group of scientists from Queen's University Belfast and the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany have come out with a new discovery that find out that how an alien observer can able to detect our Earth using our own techniques. They found that at least nine planets are well placed to observe movement of Earth. Solar missions like SuperWASP and Kepler have discovered thousands of stars other than sun in the solar galaxy and have named them “Exoplanets.”

The new concept is that, various planets in our Solar System could be seen while passing through their “transit zones” that is the area near their host star. Many other planets can also be seen depending upon the time and distance from the star. Smaller planets are more likely to be seen as larger planets block out more light while passing through their host stars. It is observed by the astronomers that three planets at most could be observed from anywhere outside of the Solar System, and that combinations of three planets are not possible.

Detecting a single planet is higher than two or three planets. It is estimated that there are tens of the worlds that are favourably located to detect the Earth and are capable of sustaining life. In future scientists may target these transit zones to search for exoplanets with favourable living conditions.

By: Anita Aishvarya

Content: www.sciencedaily.com