Determining the habitability of rocky, Earth-like planets in the universe will be crucial for us as a species, according to scientists from The Australian National University.
But the good news is that these planets are probably more abundant than stars, researchers from the ANU Planetary Science Institute have discovered. The institute is a joint venture of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics and the Research School of Earth Sciences.
“Determining whether these planets are habitable has become the new holy grail of astronomy,” said planetary scientist Dr. Charley Lineweaver, lead author of the study.
One would think the "Holy grail" would be detecting an exo-planet with obvious signs of intelligent life on it. To read more, click here.