They hope to scan the planets' atmospheres for possible chemical fingerprints of life. The discovery, published in this week's issue of the journal Nature, builds on previous research showing three planets circling TRAPPIST-1. They are among more than 3,500 planets discovered beyond the solar system, or exoplanets. From the vantage point of telescopes on Earth, the planets' motions regularly block out bits of the star's light. Three planets are properly positioned for liquid water, said lead researcher Michael Gillon, with the University of Liege in Belgium.

Source: bd News24 February 22, 2017 19:48 UTC