There could be around 6 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way, scientists say

While the sound of one world may appear to be plenty, experts have proposed that there might be billions more planets identical to world. According to the Space Academy, the Milky Way Galaxy may contain around 6 billion earth-like planets.

6 Billion Earth-Like Planets in the Milky Way Galaxy

This is according to a research published in the Astronomical Journal. As part of the study, astronomers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) examined data from NASA’s Kepler spacecraft. This approach allowed them to predict up to 6 billion Earth-like planets. The planet-hunting craft acquired data on 200,000 distinct stars.

According to Futurism, the researchers used an algorithm to compare planets already detected by Kepler to those that appeared while filling in possible exoplanets around particular stars that Kepler had discovered.

The researchers employed precise criteria to find such earth-like planets, including being comparable in size to Earth, being rocky, and orbiting a star similar to the Sun. The planet should also be located in its star’s habitable zone, where life and water might potentially thrive.

Co-author and UBC researcher Michelle Kunimoto remarked that their estimates include a higher ceiling of 0.18 Earth-like planets for each G-type star. This suggests that there are approximately five planets for every sun.

According to Beyond our science, co-author and UB astronomer Jaymie Matthews conveys this in a unique way. The Milky Way Galaxy contains up to 400 billion stars, 7% of which are G-type. According to Matthews, this suggests that less than 6 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy may have their own Earth-like planets.

To continue with the investigation, Kunimoto employed a process known as forward modeling, which allowed him to overcome the worry that earth-like planets are difficult to detect because to their tiny size and distant orbit.

Though the researchers were able to make a spectacular estimate of the number of probable earth-like planets, this does not represent the actual number of earth-like planets in the Milky Way Galaxy. It also does not imply that they all enable life in the same way that the earth does. However, such estimations expand the possibilities for comparable worlds in the solar system.

Science Alert also emphasizes that this forecast is a useful tool for professionals to use. It may be very useful when looking for such planetary classes and learning more about Earth life throughout the vast cosmos.