CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — Using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and earth-based telescopes, astronomers have found a star system with seven earth-like planets, all of which may contain water. <br /> <br />The findings were published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. <br /> <br />Dubbed TRAPPIST-1, the ultra-compact system contains seven earth-like planets with surface temperatures low enough to support water. It is located 40 light years from earth. <br /> <br />Three of the TRAPPIST-1 planets are believed to be in the habitable zone, close to the system’s ultra-cool dwarf star. According to NASA, these planets take approximately six, nine and 12 days respectively to orbit the dwarf star. <br /> <br />Scientists believe their earth-like planetary compositions may not only support water, but maybe even life. <br /> <br />NASA calculations reckon that all of the planets may have a rocky surface, but the space agency says more investigation is needed to determine if any of them contain water. <br /> <br />In 2018 NASA will launch the James Webb Space Telescope and will use this for further research into the TRAPPIST-1 system. This telescope can reportedly pinpoint water, methane, oxygen, ozone and other elements of a planet’s atmosphere.
