I get as excited by the prospect of alien life as anyone out there and the infrared detection of these planets around the Red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 is a signal achievement in extrasolar planet hunting. Three of these planets are firmly located in the habitable zone, NASA reports, but it says that all seven of the TRAPPIST-1 planets orbit closer to their host star than Mercury does to our Sun. “This does of course not mean that there is absolute certainty that life on the earth-mass planets around TRAPPIST-1 would be impossible,” said Cuntz. Tidally-locked planets are usually considered disadvantageous for exobiology , and especially sophisticated life forms, says Cuntz. As I noted here previously, Cuntz still thinks the sweet spot for planets suitable for life is around Orange dwarfs.

Source: Forbes March 09, 2017 13:10 UTC