In addition to the other responses, be aware that your statement is not, technically, correct. Science depends on precise terminology and you have described a limited range without specifying it. That is, you have implied that "11 billion planets" encompasses the entire universe but it does not, it is the subset in the observable universe, not "the universe". Just because Wikipedia gets it wrong (and I'm assuming they did not say observable universe) does not make it right. The number of planets in the universe could be infinite in which case the number of inhabitable planets is also infinite and that's WAY bigger than 11 billioncjackson said:
Our knowledge is increasing more rapidly than ever before. I would not make predictions for centuries in the future. The past is full of wrong "impossible"-predictions about technology. Sure, you can take the last decades and extrapolate into the future - I wonder which number of computers or spaceflights for today such a prediction would have given 1915.Chronos said:
I agree w/ you, but the speed of light limit doesn't seem like something that is going to go away.mfb said:
Ha. An even smaller limit that should have been specified.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. I didn't for a minute think you were talking about FTL. At 10% of c, I still think there are very significant shielding problems and others as well. I do agree that these are primarily just engineering problems and who knows what we might have to address them with in 50 years or 100 years and more.mfb said:
To identify potentially habitable exoplanets, scientists look for planets that are located in the "habitable zone" of their star, meaning they are at a distance where liquid water could exist on the surface. They also look for planets that have a similar size and composition to Earth, as well as those that have the potential for an atmosphere.
Scientists use a variety of technologies to study exoplanets, including telescopes, spectroscopy, and space probes. Telescopes can detect the presence of exoplanets by measuring the slight dips in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it. Spectroscopy allows scientists to analyze the composition of an exoplanet's atmosphere. Space probes, such as NASA's Kepler mission, can directly observe and gather data on exoplanets.
One major challenge in studying exoplanets is their distance from Earth. The vast majority of exoplanets are located outside of our solar system, making it difficult to observe and gather data on them. Another challenge is the fact that each exoplanet is unique, with its own atmospheric and environmental conditions, making it difficult to make generalizations about habitability.
Scientists use a variety of factors to determine if an exoplanet is habitable. These include the planet's size, composition, and distance from its star, as well as its potential for an atmosphere and the presence of water. They also study the planet's star to determine if it has a stable environment and if it emits enough energy to support life.
The next step in the search for habitable exoplanets is to gather more data and knowledge about the exoplanets we have already discovered. This can help scientists better understand the conditions necessary for habitability and potentially identify more habitable exoplanets. Additionally, new technologies and advancements in space exploration will also play a key role in the continued search for habitable exoplanets.