Kepler 22-b: A Promising Candidate for Life
On December 5th, 2011 NASA's Kepler mission confirmed the first earth-like planet from a list of candidates compiled in February of this year. Due to its size, slightly larger than the Earth, and its similar 290-day rotation period make it is a possible home for life. Unfortunately, scientists are yet to determine the makeup of the planet: gaseous, rock, or ice. The planet lies 600 light years away and has a slightly dimmer sun than our own, which makes Kepler 22-b's close rotation to its star hospitable for life than if it were a sun like in our solar system. The average surface temperature on Kepler 22-b is 22 C, just eight more than the Earth's 14 C. The announcement of this confirmation was made at the Kepler Conference, along with the discovery of over 1,000 potential planets. Scientists expect this to be the first of many planets to be confirmed in the coming years.