Newly discovered mysteries about 'Second Earth'

Kepler-452b, the most Earth-like planet discovered to date, may be warmer, larger, and have water on its surface.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced today the discovery of Kepler-452b, a planet considered a "second Earth," with many characteristics suitable for the development of life like on Earth.

Time on Kepler-452b is similar to that on Earth.

A year on "Second Earth"—the time it takes for Kepler-452b to orbit its parent star—is 385 days, just over 20 days longer than a year on Earth.

This is a notable difference compared to other planets near Earth, such as Venus. A year on Venus is 88 Earth days, while a year on Neptune—a more distant planet in our solar system—is 185 Earth years.

It has spent billions of years orbiting its parent star in the appropriate region.

Kepler 452 – the parent star of Kepler-452b – is about 1.5 billion years older than our Sun. If a planet is too close to its parent star, it will be too hot to form life. If it's too far away, it will be too cold, also making it impossible to form life.

Kepler-452b has maintained an ideal distance from its parent star for billions of years. According to Jon Jenkins, data analysis from the Kepler space probe suggests that this means it is very likely suitable for life to arise on its surface, or at least, that life once existed there.

There may be active volcanoes and water on the surface.

It is highly likely that Kepler-452b has the right temperature for water to exist in liquid form on its surface. This is essential to support life.

According to John Coughlin, a researcher at the SETI Institute in California, USA, the Kepler project team collaborated with geologists to determine the planet's structure. Based on its size and age, it appears to be a rocky planet, meaning that volcanoes may be active beneath its surface.

A simulation of an active volcano on the surface of Kepler-452b. Graphic: Independent

Humans are capable of living in a place with strong gravity like Kepler-452b.

The new planet is slightly larger than Earth and is estimated to have twice the gravity of our planet. However, according to scientists on the Kepler project, this does not mean it is unsuitable for habitation.

Jenkins said that humans could "adapt" to that gravity, and their bodies would even become "stronger and more muscular over generations."

"Humans are naturally suited to heavy weight – the human species was born to do this. The human body has an amazing ability to repair itself. So, over time, humans can adapt."

The vegetation is thriving.

Kepler-452's parent star is larger than our Sun. The light and heat it receives from its parent star not only makes it warmer than Earth, but also means that plant life could potentially thrive there.

Plants photosynthesize, producing air for humans to breathe. Therefore, if a sufficiently large area of ​​vegetation is developed, it will produce enough air for humans and animals to live on Kepler 452b.

"The sunlight from the Kepler host star is very similar to that of our Sun. Therefore, plants can photosynthesize similarly. It would probably be very similar to Earth," Jenkins said.

Tanned skin

"Kepler 452b receives the same type of spectrum and intensity of light as we receive on Earth. Therefore, if this planet is rocky and has an atmosphere, trees could grow there. We could even go on holiday there and get a tan," said Dr. Daniel Brown, an astronomy expert at Trent University, Nottingham.

Scientists are conducting extensive research on this planet to determine for certain what could possibly develop on Kepler 452b.

Travel to "Second Earth"

Kepler-452b is warm and may have water and life; however, it is 1,400 light-years away from us. A light-year is the distance a beam of light can travel in one year. Light travels about 670 million miles (1,078 million km) per hour. Sunlight takes up to 8 minutes to reach Earth.

If a spacecraft carrying humans were to travel to Kepler 452b, it would take 25.8 million years to get there. This is an unimaginable amount of time for humans, unless we find a way to improve the speed of spacecraft in the future.

According to VnExpress