2007-02-04 02:58:29 · 8 answers · asked by JOEG 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
only if we expect them to be earth like.
Currently earth like is used to describe rocky planets, which may have an atmosphere, water or methane. So several many of them, are much larger than the earth, the smallest found so far is 14 times the size of the earth. you wouldn't want to colonise that type of planet, because you wouldn't want to move very much.
2007-02-04 03:00:33 · answer #1 · answered by whatotherway 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because the Earth like planets could include features like the Earth but it doesn't necessarily need to be Earth sized. The Earth like planets could just have water on it or trees and other types of plants, living organisms or perhaps have the same or almost the same types of elements here on Earth.
2007-02-04 11:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by Mary L 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
By 'earth like planet', I presume, it is meant of a planet which can support life as it is known to us.The most important factors are perhaps the ambient temperature and the composition of the atmosphere.
I do not think the size of such a planet would be the deciding factor. However it has to be borne in mind that the atmosphere of the planet will escape if the planet has a too small a mass.
2007-02-04 11:16:34 · answer #3 · answered by rabi k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pretty much if you want to find intelligent life, and that's what earth like means, right?.
Slightly smaller is ok but it would be harder to maintain a healthy balance of water to land and the atmosphere would fly away with the less gravity. Much larger wouldn't work because the gravity would be so strong life couldn't even walk and no rocket could ever leave.
2007-02-04 11:06:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
replicating the conditions on which our planet is formed is not necessarily based on a planets size but based on circumstances and events set in motion for life to exist
2007-02-04 19:40:33 · answer #5 · answered by blinkky winkky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's no reason why they would need to be. Earth like pertains more to the temperature, atmosphere and presence of water.
2007-02-04 11:02:21 · answer #6 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pff!!! No, it just might help, haven't a foggy how though....
2007-02-04 11:09:22 · answer #7 · answered by angelchild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe.....
2007-02-04 11:01:06 · answer #8 · answered by Fletcher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋