While NASA’s selection of the astronauts that will travel to the moon has gotten most of the space related attention this week, there’s been another significant discovery in space – this one about 12 light years away.

Bucknell University physics and astronomy professor Jackie Villadsen co-authored research that includes evidence of an Earth-like planet, at least when it comes to magnetic fields – something that is essential to life.

Professor Villadsen was us on The Spark Thursday where she talked about why the discovery is significant,"This discovery is important because magnetic fields are a key part of what makes Earth a good plant to live on. Earth's magnetic field provides an invisible forcefield that shields earth from stuff that comes off of the sun. And based on the example of looking at Mars, which doesn't have a strong magnetic field flicker anymore, we believe that magnetic fields are really important for holding onto our air and our water and making it a place we can live... We've found some evidence that magnetic fields could exist on earth sized planets elsewhere in the universe."

The planet revolves around a star like the Earth does a star, but this planet is much closer to star -- taking only two days to circle the star.

A magnetic field that can control an atmosphere and keep out whats coming off the star makes it Earth-life but could the planet sustain life? Villadsen said probably not because temperatures are about 3000 degree Celsius and added,"If it did, it would be on the Nightside or the Twilight Edge, because planets like this that are so close to the star, they end up getting locked to always have the same side of the planet facing the star so that there's a permanent dayside and a permanent nightside And that dayside is going to be really, really, really hot. And probably because winds and things will spread that heat around, probably the whole planet is too hot to live on, but the night side of the planet will be cooler. So it could be that there might be some conditions for life in the Nightside or the Twilight Zone."

While NASA’s selection of the astronauts that will travel to the moon has gotten most of the space related attention this week, there’s been another significant discovery in space – this one about 12 light years away.
Bucknell University physics and astronomy professor Jackie Villadsen co-authored research that includes evidence of an Earth-like planet, at least when it comes to magnetic fields – something that is essential to life.
Professor Villadsen was us on The Spark Thursday where she talked about why the discovery is significant,"This discovery is important because magnetic fields are a key part of what makes Earth a good plant to live on. Earth's magnetic field provides an invisible forcefield that shields earth from stuff that comes off of the sun. And based on the example of looking at Mars, which doesn't have a strong magnetic field flicker anymore, we believe that magnetic fields are really important for holding onto our air and our water and making it a place we can live... We've found some evidence that magnetic fields could exist on earth sized planets elsewhere in the universe."
The planet revolves around a star like the Earth does a star, but this planet is much closer to star -- taking only two days to circle the star.
A magnetic field that can control an atmosphere and keep out whats coming off the star makes it Earth-life but could the planet sustain life? Villadsen said probably not because temperatures are about 3000 degree Celsius and added,"If it did, it would be on the Nightside or the Twilight Edge, because planets like this that are so close to the star, they end up getting locked to always have the same side of the planet facing the star so that there's a permanent dayside and a permanent nightside And that dayside is going to be really, really, really hot. And probably because winds and things will spread that heat around, probably the whole planet is too hot to live on, but the night side of the planet will be cooler. So it could be that there might be some conditions for life in the Nightside or the Twilight Zone."

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

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