Is the planet hunting determinant for our survival?

Astronomers in Australia have emphasized the importance of research for other habitable planets.

Into future world population is likely to grow to the extent that a single planet would not be sufficient, in some moments the human race will have to colonize other planets and when this happens will need to know where to go. Great strides have been made in recent years in the field hunting planets and, while we now know that planets ekstrasolar can be found in many different solar systems is not clear whether there is the possibility that any of these be suitable for living .

"Determining whether there are inhabitable planets has become the holy graali astronomy," said Dr Charley Lineweaver. "This is probably one of the biggest issues with confusing and important scientists of the planets should be taken in 10 to 20 years."

To understand the habitability and to use this knowledge to find the nearest planet habitable, may be crucial to our survival as a species, writes Dr Charley Lineweaver and student Aditya Chopra in the Australian National University Annual Magazine reviews Earth and Planetary Science .