The smaller, rocky planet Gliese 581 g also appears to orbit its sun in the “habitable zone.” Kaltenegger has already begun calculating the climate for this satellite. Only last week, US scientists announced that they had discovered another planet in the system that’s even more similar to Earth. A total of six planets orbit the red sun in the Libra constellation. Gliese is considered the most exciting planetary system astronomers have discovered to date outside our own solar system. “There is actually a possibility that it’s habitable.” “It’s a fascinating new world,” says Kaltenegger, who has been conducting her research at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Heidelberg, Germany since the end of September. The scientists performed an extensive simulation of the planet Gliese 581 d, the results of which will be described in an upcoming issue of the Astrophysical Journal. This is the exciting conclusion that was reached by Harvard astronomer Lisa Kaltenegger and her research team. And yet it is quite possible that it supports life. There is no doubt about it: this is not a cozy place. Extreme temperature differences trigger mega-storms that make terrestrial hurricanes look like gentle breezes, as powerful winds drive massive waves against the coastlines. The other side of the planet, however, is in constant darkness, never illuminated by the dwarf star. But it does shine day and night throughout the year, which lasts only about two Earth months on this distant planet. The alien sun, glowing blood-red in the sky, provides little light and heat. Scientists believe the pair could be inhabitable and using new, super telescopes, astronomers are now searching for signs of life. Two planets similar to Earth have been discovered circling the dwarf star Gliese 581. The large earth-like planet in the foreground is the recently discovered “Gliese 581 g,” which has an orbit of 36.6 days in the middle of the star’s habitable zone. An artist’s conception of the four inner planets surrounding Gliese 581, a red dwarf star 20 light years away from Earth.

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