We've all seen the breathless headlines about the next Earth, Super-Earth or Earth 2.0 every time astronomers spot an exoplanet – one that could sustain life – somewhere in the Universe.
But these calculations are based on invented ranking systems that make extremely simple assumptions about the characteristics of the planets they are trying to describe, says Josh Tan. The best we can do for now is make a list of promising planets for future observation.
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Have we really discovered other “Earth-like” planets orbiting around other stars? Understanding what we do and do not know about exoplanets is the key to answering this question.
ESO/L. Calcada/N. Risinger/Reuters
Joshua Tan, Universidad Católica de Chile
Over the last 20 years, advances in the field of exoplanet discovery have excited the imaginations of scientists and enthusiasts alike. But we're not in position to know yet whether a planet is habitable.
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Business + Economy
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Abdeslam Marfouk, Université de Liège
If educated women are discriminated against in their home country, they will take their skills elsewhere.
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Misheck Mutize, University of Cape Town; Sean Gossel, University of Cape Town
The BRICS bloc of states have resolved to establish an alternative credit rating agency to counter western dominance in the financial markets. Will it work?
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Politics + Society
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Ariel Colonomos, Sciences Po – USPC
Targeted killing – the killing of specific individuals usually performed by drones – is a globally expanding practice.
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Dan Brett, The Open University
The government claims to have backed down on a controversial emergency decree in the face of mass demonstrations. But all is not what it seems.
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Christine Schwöbel-Patel, University of Liverpool
The court needs to address charges of neo-colonialism.
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Science + Technology
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Nick Caplan, Northumbria University, Newcastle
A twin experiment in space can help us prevent diseases on Earth.
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Jessica Su, Stanford University
You might think you're anonymous when you're browsing the web. But a new study shows that browsing history can often be tied to your real-world identity.
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