Kepler Snags Super-Earth-Size Planet Squarely in a Habitable Zone

摘要

The Kepler spacecraft has achieved plenty of milestones in the 4 years and counting that it's been orbiting the sun. Kepler team members have reported the discovery of ever-smaller exoplanets—down to Earth-size and below—and more and more exoplanets that are in the habitable zone, where a solid, Earth-size planet could have liquid, life-sustaining water on its surface. Now, the Kepler team is reporting the discovery of what could be the Holy Grail of exoplanetology: a rocky planet enveloped by a nurturing, warming atmosphere and sporting streams, lakes, and seas. Or maybe not.