After 20 years and $600 million worth of research, NASA scientists announced they found the first planet in the habitable, or liveable, zone.
Reports say the planet, Kepler-22b, is similar to Earth, though bigger, and the temperature averages about 72 degrees. The planet is 600 light years away, and it orbits its own sun every 290 days.
Scientists have nicknamed the planet "Goldilocks" because it is not too hot, not too cold, but maybe just right to support life.
Space scientist William Borucki and his team found it using the Kepler space telescope, a giant camcorder which was designed specifically to look for planets where life might be possible.
Borucki and his colleagues can't see Kepler-22b, because it's too small and too far away. The fastest modern rocket ship would take 24 million years to get there.
Even though the planet is 600 light years away, scientists are taking the discovery of a potentially habitable planet seriously.
Quotes
"We have worked for 20 years to get this moment, to see this data. And we -- people said it couldn't be done; it was just impossible." - William Borucki, NASA.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is a planet?
2. Name the eight planets in our solar system.
3. What is NASA? What is the organization's role?
Discussion Questions
1. Why did NASA space scientists nickname the planet "Goldilocks"?
2. Do you think space exploration is important? Why or why not?
3. Do you think humans will inhabit another planet in your lifetime? Why or why not?
4. If given the opportunity, would you live on a new planet?
Additional Resources
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