Scientists find a possible

Earth-like planet
 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

Preview
Words Expressions

1. segment /ˈseɡ.mənt/ [noun] convenience store

one of several parts or pieces that fit with others to constitute a whole object
high beams
2. resemble /rɪˈzem.bəl/ [verb]
to look like or be like someone or something
real estate
3. realm /relm/ [noun]
a field of interest, study, etc. night owl

4. propulsion /prəˈpʌl.ʃən/ [noun] brown dwarf

a force that pushes something forward

5. wobble /ˈwɒb.əl/ [noun]

a movement from side to side that shows poor balance

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 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

Article

Scientists find a possible Earth-like planet

Time now for our weekly segment on science called the

Leading Edge, and the discovery of another possible Earth-
like planet that's grabbing worldwide attention today.
It is true, scientists have previously said they believe there
are other planets outside our solar system that resemble
Earth in size and may have liquid water. But this latest finding
is the closest planet yet found. Yes, it's four light years from
Earth, just a mere 25 trillion miles away. But travel there may
be possible by the end of the century, maybe not for me and
you.
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 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

The planet is called Proxima b, circling a small star called Proxima Centauri.
As shown in this animation, it's thought to be about 1.3 times the mass of
Earth, probably rocky like the Earth, and possibly warm enough for liquid
water. We're talking now of about more than 3,000 planets total, exoplanets
in the catalogue, and growing by the minute, but this is the closest one
that's been discovered. And that is what has scientists quite interested.

Four light years is, in astronomical terms, a trip to the convenience store.
And so the idea that there might be something somewhat within the realm
of attainable if we come up with some really cool rocket propulsion ideas
gets people thinking.

There's telescopes that see things, but they didn't really get a picture of
this planet. Imagine driving down a darkened highway and a car coming at
with its high beams on. You don't know anything about that car, do you?
But there are some ways to kind of figure this out using some interesting
technology.

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 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

In this case, what they used was the slight wobble that occurs as these
two bodies interact with each other. As the planet orbits around, the star
itself moves ever so slightly. That's enough to infer that its presence is
there.
There are a few other ways to do it. You can actually detect the slight
diminishment of light as a planet passes in front of a star and infer that its
presence is there that way. That's how the Kepler space telescope has
done its work so well over the years for NASA.

But we may not want to live on this planet.

It's 11 days around its star, so an 11-day year. It is tidily locked, which
means there is a light side always and a dark side always. So I suppose
the real estate on the light side might be better. I don't know. If you're
a night owl, maybe you want to go to the other side.
It's very close to its star, but the star itself is a brown dwarf. It's a
pretty wimpy star. And so it can be closer and be in what scientists call
the Goldilocks zone, the just-right zone where the temperatures are
just right for water to exist in liquid form.

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 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

Discussion

1. Do you think that there is a planet in the universe that has

similar civilization as the Earth?
2. As you can imagine, what is it like to live on another planet?
3. What are the other ways by which people can find things
without seeing them?

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 Learn and Talk III – Lesson 52

Further Reading

Full Text
http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_71c874670102xnnu.html

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