there is even an “Earth 2.0″. And with temperatures “mild” – SAPO Tek

The rumors are confirmed and no longer doubt. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) effectively discovered a planet that has conditions similar to those found on Earth today, namely “climate”.

On its website, the Observatory explains that the new planet, which has was named Proxima b, orbits the red dwarf Proxima Centauri, a star is 4.25 light-years from our solar system, that is, about 40.2 billion kilometers. This is the closest star to Earth, beyond the sun.

The ESO says the new planet takes approximately 11 days to complete their orbital trip around Proxima Centauri, which emits less intense radiation that those of our sun. This, coupled with the distance that is Proxima Centauri, enable the Next b maintain a temperature that can allow the existence of liquid water, an essential element of life. The new planet is the right place to be incinerated by the star or to become a frozen wasteland.

Guillem Anglada-Escudé, leader of the team of scientists who completed the discovery, said the first indications that this new planet was found in 2013, but the evidence was not strong enough.

Next b has a mass about 1.3 times that of Earth and is distant about 7 million kilometers from its star. This distance is almost 20 times less than that which separates the earth from the sun.

Although the Next b is within the designated “habitable zone,” the atmospheric conditions may be strongly affected by ultraviolet radiation and the rays -X issued by Proxima Centauri.

still, the presence of liquid water on the planet is a strong possibility, although there is still no certainty about it. But, if any, the water should be stored in the most exposed regions to Proxima Centauri or some of the tropical planet’s rings. According to the data collected, scientists believe that the Proxima b does not have periodic atmospheric conditions which are similar to terrestrial seasons.

Next b will continue to be the subject of scientific research and, in accordance with Anglada-Escudé, the next step is to search for life evidence of this new planet.

here’s condirmação announcement video of the discovery of Proxima b at the headquarters of ESO.