论文部分内容阅读
10年前,天文学家发现了第一颗太阳系外行星。如今,天文学家们称他们可能准备进入行星探索的新阶段——探索遥远世界是否存在类似地球生命的迹象。截止目前,天文学家已在太阳系外发现了大约145颗所谓绕恒星轨道运行的太阳系外行星。所有这些太阳系外行星都如同木星一样,是被气体所笼罩的巨大星球,不适合地球生命在上面居住。但一些世界著名的“行星寻觅者”却表示这种状况有可能在未来10年内发生改变。空间望远镜研究所的天体物理学家马里奥·利维奥说:“在未来几年内,我们也许能够探测到类似太阳系一样的星系。”这可能有助于解答利维奥所认为的当今科学界最令人感兴趣的问题:地球以外的地方是否存在着有较高智力水平的生命。
Ten years ago, astronomers discovered the first extrasolar planet. Today, astronomers say they may be ready to enter a new phase of planetary exploration—exploring whether distant worlds have signs similar to life on Earth. Up to now, astronomers have discovered about 145 extrasolar planets orbiting the stars outside the solar system. All of these extrasolar planets, like Jupiter, are giant planets enveloped by gas. They are not suitable for life on earth. However, some world-renowned “planet seekers” have indicated that this situation may change in the next 10 years. Mario Livio, an astrophysicist at the Institute of Space Telescopes, said: “In the next few years, we may be able to detect galaxies like the solar system.” This may help answer Livio’s view of the current scientific community. The most interesting question: Is there a higher intellectual level of life outside the Earth?