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NASA‘s Kepler space telescope has made a new round of discoveries: two planetary systems, both of which are home to a total of three planets within the habitable zone. As such, it is possible that each planet could have a surface temperature capable of liquid water and supporting life. The findings were recently published in the journal Science.

The two planetary systems are called Kepler-62 and Kepler-69, with the first being home to five planets and the second being home to two. Of those, planets 62e, 62f, and 69c are the planets of interest. While all are bigger than Earth, the (probably) rocky planet Kepler-62f is said to be only 40-percent bigger, thus earning the designation of the closest habitable-zone exoplanet near Earth’s size.

The next smallest is Kepler-69e, which NASA says is 60-percent bigger than Earth, and last is Kepler-69c, which is 70-percent larger. The latter planet is the only of the three that orbits a star close in size to our sun. Like other discoveries, no one knows yet whether any of these three planets could harbor life, but such finds inspire those ideas, and take us one step closer to discovering an Earth twin.

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate associate administrator John Grunsfeld said: “The Kepler spacecraft has certainly turned out to be a rock star of science. The discovery of these rocky planets in the habitable zone brings us a bit closer to finding a place like home. It is only a matter of time before we know if the galaxy is home to a multitude of planets like Earth, or if we are a rarity.”

[via NASA]

NASA discovers three Kepler system planets in the habitable zone is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

NASA’s Kepler telescope has discovered three “super-Earth-size” exoplanets that are close enough to their stars to make them possibly suitable for water. Two of the planets (Kepler-62e and Kepler-62f) orbit a K2 dwarf estimated to be around 7 billion years old. Measuring at two-thirds the size of our sun, this cosmic lantern is orbited by a total of five planets, three of which are too close to be habitable for life. Kepler-69c, the biggest of this newly discovered trio is estimated to be 70 percent larger than Earth and takes 242 days to revolve around its sun-like star Kepler-69. While there’s great excitement surrounding these new findings, this isn’t the first time we’ve spotted a potentially habitable planet. A little over a year ago Kepler discovered Kepler-22b, an exoplanet about 600 light-years away from Earth believed to be covered in liquid. Like their predecessor, NASA has yet to determine if these newfound planets actually have water or a rocky composition. Until then, Ridley Scott might want to hold off on naming them as locations for his sequel to Prometheus.

Filed under: Science, Alt

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Via: Wired

Source: NASA

It’s simultaneously comforting and terrifying to imagine that everything that ever could happen does happen. You didn’t make that horribly tasteless joke that got you fired and somehow the new Daft Punk single sucks! This isn’t just a thought experiment; it’s a very real possibility teased by every quantum physics experiment ever. More »

When it comes to archaeology one of the most exciting places to excavate and search for ancient artifacts is Egypt. Archaeologists have announced that they have discovered the oldest harbor ever uncovered in Egypt along with the oldest papyrus ever found. The remnants from an ancient harbor date back 4500 years and was discovered in Wadi-Jarf.

The announcement of the discovery was made by the Egyptian State Information Service. According to the service, a team of French and Egyptian archaeologists discovered the ancient harbor. The archaeologists also found a few anchors made from carved stone, storage jars, fragments of rope, and pieces of pottery.

Wadi al-Jarf is the present name for a location on the Red Sea coast that is the site of the oldest known seaport on the planet. This port dates all the way back to the fourth dynasty of Egypt. The ancient warf and other structures are located 112 miles south of Suez.

The archaeologists dated the ruins to the reign of Pharaoh Khufu. Khufu is an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh who ruled in the fourth dynasty of the old Kingdom around 2580 BC. One of the papyrus scrolls discovered by the archaeologists include some interesting details on the daily activities of an Egyptian official called Merrer. This particular official was leading the construction of the Great Pyramid. The archaeologists say that the papyrus talks about the officials many trips to the limestone quarry for blocks of limestone and provides insight into the day-to-day operations of building the massive structure.

[via HNGN]

Archaeologists discover the oldest harbor ever in Egypt is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Historically, whenever man or beast’s been bombarded with massive amounts of radiation the results have either been gruesome or wholly fantastical (see: any superhero origin story). But recent research out of Japan indicates that a barrage of electrons could actually help scientists revolutionize microbiology and, more excitingly, space travel. The experiment, conducted by a team from the Hamamatsu University of Medicine, found that the larvae of fruit flies hit with this electron rush were able to withstand an electron microscope’s hostile vacuum unharmed and even grew to be healthy adults. The results weren’t so rosy for the untreated group which, understandably, suffered a grislier fate: death by dehydration. The magic, it turns out, is in that subatomic spray, as the group treated with an electron shower benefited from a polymerizing effect or, more plainly, a bonding of molecules just above the skin’s surface that yielded a tough, protective nano-layer measuring between 50- to 100-billionths of a meter thick. Finesse that technique some and it’s easy to why one NASA scientist thinks this could lead to the creation of a super-thin “space shield… that could protect against dehydration and radiation.”

The process is still far from foolproof, however, seeing as how an increase in the microscope’s resolution requires an equal boost in radiation — all of which is fatal to the insects. So, in order to go deeper and get a more close-up view of the larvae’s internals, the team’s currently exploring new methods of fabricating these “nano-suits” using an array of chemicals. If you’re wondering just how far-off we are from practical human application, then consider this: the amount of radiation required to form the bonded layer is akin to “sunbathing naked on the top of Everest under a hole in the ozone.” Which is to say, keep dreaming. And get Jeff Goldblum on the phone while you’re at it… we have a promising idea for a Return of the Fly sequel.

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Via: Wired

Source: ScienceNOW