1. We’re Moving!
A look into the discoveries of nearly 3,000 possible “Earth” twins!
By: Miranda Sisson

2. Kepler-22b
Kepler-22b is the first planet to be found in the “habitable zone”
The habitable zone is the region in which liquid water can exist on a planets surface, thus providing for a livable planet.

3. Some more…
There are currently ten candidates near Earth’s size and orbit in the habitable zone in their Earth star, but they require follow-up observations to verify they are actual planets
Kepler discovers planets and planet candidates by measuring dips in the brightness of more than 150,000 stars to search for planets that cross in front, or “transit” the stars, it requires at least three transits to verify a signal as a planet

4. Oh, and more.
Kepler-22b is the smallest planet to be found orbiting in the middle of the habitable zone of it’s host star
The planet has around 2.4 times the radius Earth does.

5. Yes, there’s more.
There have been two other planets that orbit their host stars that are smaller and cooler than our planets but were recently confirmed to be on the edge of the habitable zone, closely resembling the orbits of Venus and Mars.
Kepler-22b is located around 600 light years away! One light year is around 6 TRILLION MILES!

6. Aaaand, fin.
With an orbit of 290 days around it’s host sun-like star, Kepler-22b is incredibly similar to Earth!
The planets host star is even in the same class as our sun; G-type, but is slightly smaller and cooler.