Spectral Analysis of Kepler Habitable Zone Planets

Credit: NASA/JPL/KECK

Keck Observatory

Recently Hawaii's Keck Telescope Performed Spectral Analysis of the Kepler Habitable Zone Planets. Results indicated best possible scenarios scientists have been hoping for as the Keck Team clearly identified many of the trace elements that support life on earth. When studying the starlight of these planetary systems findings indicate that we live in a universe full of complex new planetary systems. These systems are found to be elementally abundant with Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Iron and the footprints of Life.


Carbon and Oxygen were found to be enriched in stars with planetary systems. These results indicate that many exotic worlds are formed in carbon rich environments. Most generally we find that the elemental abundances in planetary systems align with that of their host stars. Data from the Kepler Space Observatory suggests that there may be more than two billion planets in our galaxy capable of supporting life. We estimate that 10% - 20% of planets can be potentially Earth-like. Our estimates and real findings are based upon the probability of a planet residing with-in the habitable zone of it's star, and that the temperature and pressure conditions will allow liquid water to exist.


As part of the most recent results from the Kepler Mission, new information shows us that we live in a universe abundant with planetary systems alike to those in our own star system. We have also learned about a new class of planets ranging from earth to Neptune in size completely unlike anything seen in our solar system. New information tells us that planetary and star systems are not all alike, many planets have been found around binary and trinary star systems, adding to the complexity and diversity of our results.


Citizen Scientists are encouraged to volunteer at planethunters.org with the opportunity of learning how to classify planetary systems.