
Nov. 3, 2010
Feature Story
Survey Says... Earth-Sized Planets Common
The most extensive and sensitive planetary census yet performed indicates that one in four Sun-like stars may host planets as small as Earth. Understanding if Earth-sized planets are common around Sun-like stars will help astrobiologists determine the liklihood of finding habitable, Earth-like worlds in the Universe. The study was supported by NASA and the University of California, and was recently published in the journal Science.