NASA is hosting a news conference this week to announce a new out of this world discovery… and we’re speculating wildly on what it could be.
On Monday, Feb. 20, NASA announced they will host a news conference based around a discovery beyond our solar system. The brilliant minds at NASA will present new findings on exoplanets, or planets that orbit stars other than our sun. The details of these findings are currently embargoed by the journal Nature until 1 p.m., when the press conference will be held.
You can watch the event Live on NASA Television, and on the NASA website.
In the meantime, space lovers and astro-enthusiasts are wracking their brains with what the discovery will bring to light. From Earth-like atmospheres to Donald Trump’s home planet, there are plenty of theories and speculation floating around. Will the findings reveal another planet like ours? Could there be another Colorado spinning somewhere in the ever-expanding dark matter of this universe?
It’s all up in the air at this point… or should we say up in the universe! Here are some of our favorite theories as to what the announcement might be about:
https://twitter.com/DrHenryHunter/status/833736926633013248
https://twitter.com/Jordanthinkz/status/833805799927451652
https://twitter.com/BrendanMcGinty/status/833752419301486592
https://twitter.com/RVX365/status/833746184518955011
https://twitter.com/Gary_Holliday/status/834106277592756227
https://twitter.com/shazmigangs/status/834058039938445312
https://twitter.com/nellucnhoj/status/834018285012283392
The resounding (more scientific) theory is that they have discovered another planet in a habitable zone with an atmosphere that resembles Earth’s. This is mixed in with theories that include a planet with a large percentage of diatomic oxygen. Those buzzing on Reddit are extremely excited about this theory. If this large percentage of diatomic oxygen is found, it is has strong implications of life on another planet. Aside from splitting carbon dioxide with UV light (which only turned about five percent of CO2 to oxygen), the only theory backing Earth’s oxygen levels is through photosynthesis. So in short, this mystery announcement could be plant life on another planet.
Though again… this is all speculation on what the NASA announcement may be.
Many assume they are going to announce they have found extraterrestrial life. Typically “finding life on another planet” is a bit more scientific than NASA saying they just happened to snap a pic of E.T. And sorry to pop any bubbles, but the discovery was made by Kepler, which is not capable of detecting evidence of life. Kepler is a space observatory programmed to discover Earth-sized planets orbiting other stars. So finding a similar-to-earth planet (or planets) in a habitable zone is the less exciting, but most probable of all theories.
Regardless of what the announcement might be, you should tune in and listen to the press conference. Maybe we didn’t discover another life-filled humanoid planet, but you could definitely learn a thing or two about how awesome space is.
After the press conference, NASA will also host an Ask Me Anything (AMA) about exoplanets on Reddit at 3 p.m. Scientists will be able to answer questions in both English and Spanish!
For NASA TV video streaming, downlink and updated scheduling information visit: NasaTV
What do you think NASA will announce about their discovery? Let us know in the comments below!
