Sunset of the Habitable Worlds

Post date: Jun 30, 2012 12:52:49 AM

This figure shows an actual image of a sunset on Earth compared to artistic representations for the best candidates of potential habitable worlds so far. The image corrects for the size, colors, and brightness of the star and sky as seen from an Earth-like world located in the orbits of these worlds. The size of and colors of the star of Kepler-22 b look similar to Earth because it orbits a Sun-like star. The sunsets of Gliese 667Cc and 581d look much redder because they orbit a red dwarf star, with the sky of Gliese 581d much darker due to its greater distance. The star of HD 85512b is the brightest of all cases although the star of Gliese 667Cc is the biggest. CREDIT: PHL @ UPR Arecibo

Data used in the creation of the previous image:

For more information about these worlds check the Habitable Exoplanet Catalog (HEC). This data is also available to construct similar views for any of the confirmed and Kepler exoplanets candidates in the full database of HEC. Individual frames are available under request for editorial and educational purposes only. The image of the beach was taken June 14, 2012 @ 6:45 AM AST in Puerto Rico while relaxing.