Astronomers have detected a repeating radio signal from an exoplanet and the star that it orbits, both located 12 light-years away from Earth, the signal suggests that the Earth-size planet may have a magnetic field and perhaps even an atmosphere.

 

Earth’s magnetic field protects the planet’s atmosphere, which life needs to survive, by deflecting energetic particles and plasma that stream out from the sun.

 

Finding atmospheres around planets located outside of our solar system could point to other worlds that potentially have the ability to support life.

 

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https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/04/world/exoplanet-radio-signal-scn/index.html

 

Kenny Everett is alive and well.????????

Cool!

8 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Kenny Everett is alive and well.????????

If only!  His TV shows were not remotely PC, but very funny.  Sorely missed.

Below is a computer simulation of Earths magnetic field;

but of course to our eyes the field is invisible. Without it the Earth's surface would be hit by radiation and fast moving subatomic particles...and we wouldn't be here. It's a very active place and what goes on in the region is not yet completely understood...although we are getting there. There are Bow Shocks, several types of storms and very low frequency sound waves on the Earth side of the bow shock. So it is possible that rocky exoplanets could have a preserved surface and protected atmosphere although close proximity to the parent star (in this case a Red Dwarf in the Constellation of Cetus {sea monster}} will have other effects to consider. All fascinating stuff.

And only 12 light years away

Trip easily doable in about 30000 years.

(rough guess from Voyager 1 data)