There is no denying how alarming the state of the planet has been in the last few years. According to statistics, several records have been broken in 2015 - and none of them are reasons to celebrate. Last year the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels clocked in at more than 400 parts per million. Moreover, 19.4 billion pounds of plastic were said to have been dumped into the ocean in 2015. 2015 also charted the highest recorded temperature in modern history.
Because of the daunting statistics, it is unsurprising how scientists are already looking for other planet's humanity can flee to when the Earth finally succumbs to humanity's abuse. Data surrounding habitable planets has been promising. According to the Kepler space mission, 40 billion Earth-sized planets are within the habitable zone. Amongst the planets discovered by the Kepler mission is 55 Cancri e.
The 55 Cancri e was discovered in 2004 and it is one of the first planets classified as super-Earth type. Recently, scientists from the University College London or UCL discovered that the 55 Cancri e has an atmosphere composed of hydrogen and helium gas. While the conditions on the earth-like planet remain inhabitable for human beings, the discovery is an insight as to what else is left to be discovered in the universe.
Scientists involved in the discovery have since gushed about their accomplishment. They explain how the atmosphere discovered on 55 Cancri e is the first time Earth gases have been detected on a planet outside of our own solar system.
It's the first time that we have been able to find the spectral fingerprints that show the gases present in the atmosphere of a super-Earth. Our observations of 55 Cancri e's atmosphere suggest that the planet has managed to cling on to a significant amount of hydrogen and helium from the nebula from which it formed" exclaimed UCL PHD student Angelos Tsiaras.