Quck answer
There is currently no definitive answer to the question of how many worlds are there. The concept of “worlds” can have different interpretations depending on the context. In terms of planets within our own solar system, there are eight recognized planets, including Earth. However, when considering the vastness of the universe, the number of potential worlds becomes almost infinite. With billions of galaxies each containing billions of stars, it is likely that there are countless other planets capable of supporting life. The search for extraterrestrial life and the exploration of distant planets continue to expand our understanding of the potential worlds beyond our own.
What do you enjoy doing on a warm evening? In Wonderopolis, we like to relax under the stars and ask ourselves, “What’s out there?” We might count the stars or search for shooting stars in the sky.
Many children who have done the same thing often wonder about our position in the universe. Are we alone? Are there other planets out there? And if there are, how many are there? Could there be intelligent life on any of those planets?
These questions have captivated astronomers, philosophers, and various other scientists throughout history. We have the most knowledge about our own planet, Earth. That makes sense, right? It is our home, after all.
We have also gained a lot of information about our neighboring celestial bodies, including the Sun, the Moon, and the other planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. We know that these objects, along with others like the former planet Pluto, orbit the Sun and form our solar system.
Our solar system is just one of many that make up our galaxy, the Milky Way. And the Milky Way is just one galaxy in the universe. Scientists estimate that there are hundreds of billions of galaxies in our universe.
When you think about these numbers, they are mind-boggling, and scientists believe that the possibilities are endless. More and more, scientists are starting to believe that we are not alone. Of course, there is no concrete evidence of life existing elsewhere, but experts are discovering more every day about the likelihood of its existence.
Scientists believe that Earth is the only planet in our solar system that can support life, at least in the way we understand it. For human beings to survive and thrive, conditions need to be “just right,” as they are on Earth. For example, humans could not survive the extreme heat on Mercury or the freezing cold on Neptune. Other factors, such as poisonous gases and lack of water, also make other planets unsuitable for hosting life.
Based on this knowledge, scientists have long theorized that life could be found on planets similar to Earth, orbiting other stars in the universe. If we could find another star with a planetary system that has a planet similar in size and position to Earth, it might also have the “just right” conditions for life as we know it.
Many of these theories were proposed before we had the means to test them. However, with advancements in technology, scientists are now able to explore deeper into space and make interesting discoveries.
In 2009, scientists launched the Kepler telescope specifically to search for planets around other stars. Scientists have only recently started sharing their findings from the data collected by the Kepler telescope through numerous observations.
According to a recent study, some scientists now believe that there could be around 40 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy. Can you imagine that? Scientists are excited about the possibilities. Out of those 40 billion Earth-like planets, how many other worlds could potentially support life?
These same scientists have concluded that planets similar to Earth are relatively common throughout the Milky Way galaxy. In fact, the nearest one could be as close as approximately 12 light years away. However, that distance is equivalent to about 72 trillion miles, so it is unlikely that humans will be able to visit there anytime soon.
According to data from the Kepler telescope, scientists now believe that there are approximately nine billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy that have planets similar in size to Earth and with temperatures that could support life as we know it. If we extend these numbers to other galaxies, it is possible that there could be many more billions of Earth-like planets in the entire universe that are capable of sustaining life!
Give it a try
We hope you enjoyed today’s extraordinary Wonder of the Day. Stay in explorer mode by engaging in one or more of the following activities with a friend or family member:
– Explore previous Wonders of the Day that have delved into outer space, such as “How Will Future Astronauts Travel to Outer Space?”, “Do You Believe in UFOs?”, “How Do Scientists Explore the Solar System?”, “Is There Life on Other Planets?”, and “What’s the Biggest Thing You Can See?”.
– Imagine a future scenario where the President of the United States announces a program to send 100 people to Mars for colonization and habitation. Consider whether you would sign up for this opportunity and create a pros and cons list discussing the advantages and disadvantages of being one of the first 100 people to travel to Mars and establish a new life on another planet. Share your thoughts with friends and family and see if they agree with your perspective.
– Contemplate the possibility that scientists discover other planets in your lifetime that are capable of supporting life similar to Earth. If life does exist on these planets, could it be more advanced than life on Earth? Could these beings be searching for you? If advanced extraterrestrial life were to find you on Earth, what information would you want them to know about you and the billions of other people on Earth? Write a simple travel brochure summarizing what you would want alien life forms to know about Earth and its inhabitants. Consider the message you want to convey and share your draft with others. Can they suggest any important information that you may have overlooked? Think critically about the content of your brochure, as it could potentially save humanity from an intergalactic conflict!
Sources of Wonder
– http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/everyday-myths/parallel-universe.htm
– http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/exoplanet-exploration/
– http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_Do_We_Know_That_Planets_Exist_Outside_Our_Solar_System_999.html
– http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/04/earth-like-planets-milky-way-galaxy/3433449/
Leave a Reply