This illustration shows what the surface of TRAPPIST-1f, one of the newly discovered planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system might look like. Is this where aliens go to shred? Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech
I’m not sure I believe in alien life. Let me rephrase. I’m not sure I believe in the sort of alien life canonized in popular culture by the likes of Orson Welles and the X-Files. I remain open to the possibility that somewhere, in a galaxy far far away, there could very well be life as there is on Earth. But the kind that secretly walk among us, abduct us, or are quietly planning their all-out assault in an attempt to conquer our planet? Sounds questionable.
Consider this, though. If a planet with similar life-supporting conditions to our beloved planet Earth exists somewhere in the universe, there is also a very sincere possibility that aliens are surfers.
Scientists became one step closer to discovering such extra-terrestrial rippers on Wednesday when NASA announced its Spitzer Space Telescope discovered seven Earth-sized planets orbiting a star deep in outer space, three of which are located in what’s called the “habitable zone” where liquid water is likely to exist – a necessity for supporting life.
“This discovery could be a significant piece of the puzzle of finding habitable environments, places that are conducive to life,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. “Answering the question ‘are we alone’ is a top science priority and finding so many planets like these for the first time in the habitable zone is a remarkable step forward toward that goal.”
Before you get your hopes up about the untapped potential of an entire planet of surf spots never before seen by terrestrial humans, it’s worth noting that the system of planets is a measly 40 light-years (235 trillion miles) away from Earth. But doesn’t it just make your mind wander?
The system, called TRAPPIST-1, is named for the Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile, which scientists used to discover three of the seven planets in May of 2016.
NASA’s official announcement is chock full of really interesting tidbits about these newly discovered planets. Apparently, they may be “tidally locked to their star” which means one side of the planet is eternally in daylight and the other is in eternal night, meaning strong breezes constantly blowing from the day to the night side. Anyone else thinking offshore winds 24/7, 365?
