Original link: http://thespacereporter.com/2015/03/new-research-shows-billions-of-habitable-planets-exist-in-our-galaxy/
Scientists have calculated that a vast number of Milky Way stars have planets fit for habitation.
Analysis of data collected by NASA’s Kepler space telescope has led researchers at the Australian National University and the Niels Bohr Institute to conclude that Earth is only one of billions of potentially life-sustaining planets in our galaxy.
In order for a planet to sustain life, it must orbit its star at just the right distance to provide sufficient light and warmth to maintain liquid water without too much radiation. This perfect orbital distance is considered to be the habitable zone.
According to a Weather Channel report, there are an average of two planets per star in the Milky Way Galaxy orbiting within their habitable zones. That brings the total number of planets with the potential for holding liquid water to 100 billion.
Scientists assume that water would be an essential ingredient for life to evolve on other planets, but it is not a certainty.
“If you have liquid water, then you should have better conditions for life, we think,” said Steffen Jacobsen of Niels Bohr. “Of course, we don’t know this yet. We can’t say for certain.”
