In May 2009. Two months after launch, Kepler began to enter the stage of scientific data collection. Every two weeks, NASA's space shuttle search Earth-like planet that orbits the sun each instrument were examined.

Own scientific data downloaded once every month. Collected, and then be communicated to the public. Kepler's distance from Earth - could reach 51 million kilometers - making speed data download video and high-resolution photos it's just up to 2,000 bits per second (if Kepler was in a nearby position) and 250 bits per second (while in the farthest distance) .

However, many interesting findings are obtained. And the surprise is on the data taken between December 2009 until March 2010. In the data, Kepler found another planet that was almost identical to planet Earth. The planet is then given the name of Kepler-22b.

As an illustration, so that an object can be called a planet, it must be observed to move to the front of the star that he is surrounded (transit) at least 3 times. "Goddess of fortune seemed to smile when we discovered the planet," said William Borucki, NASA's Kepler Principal Investigator, team leader of the Kepler-22b found in his official statement.

"Transit first planet Kepler caught on camera when a new 3-day operations officially and finally we saw the third transiting planet is in front of its star in 2010 and then," said Borucki.

Actually, Borucki said, until December 2011, a total of 708 pieces of existing extrasolar planets (exoplanets abbreviated) or the planets rotating around the star - like the planets in our solar system around the sun - Kepler encountered.

But, of many of the planet, not all of them are in the 'habitable zone' or an area some distance from their stars that make the planet in question has the potential to accommodate life on its surface.

In previous studies, which had indicated the existence of planets similar to Earth and lived in the habitable zone that Gliese 581 d and HD 85 512 b or Gliese 370 b. At that time, the second planet is a prime candidate as a planet inhabited by creatures that can live. But the chances were very slim.

Because, it turns out the two planets orbiting a star much cooler than the Sun turned out to live on the edge of the habitable zone. Their orbits more like Venus and Mars, unlike Earth. Another problem, the size of the planets were also much larger than the Earth. The discovery of Kepler-22b, which is located in the middle of the habitable zone, bringing new hope.

World Water
Researchers who joined in the search mission Kepler confirmed. The planet was in the region where liquid water could be present on the surface of the planet. Kepler-22b is also the smallest planet found orbiting in the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun.

In addition to being in the habitable zone, the new planet has a number of other important aspects that are similar to those dipunya Earth. He is also circling a star similar to our sun. Distance to its star that the planet is also similar to the Earth to the Sun.

Precisely, the distance to the sun Kepler-22b-22 which Kepler about 15 percent closer than the Earth to the Sun. However, the emission of light Kepler-22 is also about 25 percent more than the dim light of the Sun.

The combination of distance that is closer but with a much fainter sun allows the planet's surface has a comfortable temperature. Using instruments that are owned, scientists predict that if the planet has no atmosphere, the average temperature there around -11 degrees Celsius.

If no atmosphere and it provides a greenhouse effect similar to the effect produced by the planet's atmosphere, the Kepler-22b will have an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius. Most likely, the planet could also have water and rocks on a surface.

In terms of rotation, one year old planet is 290 days. Not much different from the earth 365 days.

The problem is, the planet is larger than the Earth. The size of the larger planets means the chance of life is present on the surface becomes smaller. Why?

If you see the size is about 2.4 times larger than Earth, it's probably more shaped like the planet Neptune, the planet is composed of gases and liquids. Only the planet's core is made of stone, as for most of its surface is ocean.

Although a small chance, scientists remain enthusiastic. "It is interesting to imagine the possibilities that exist," said Natalie Batalha, Kepler Deputy Chief of Science, NASA. "Floating in a world completely covered by water just as we are in the midst of the Earth's oceans," he said.

For that, Batalha said, it is not possible that no life can survive in the ocean like that.

Kepler himself could not find alien life on the planet despite the conditions allow for life to survive. And if astronomers claim that they find life outside Earth, they are looking for a life ranging from microbes, to a highly intelligent life that could have been precisely monitor the middle man.

22 Million Years, Journey to the Kepler-22b
The discovery of Kepler-22b into the spotlight of course, among scientists, astronomers, and astronomical observer of society. Million hopes and dreams came out when NASA announced officially that the planet is potentially capable of storing water in liquid form, the main factors supporting life.

Moreover, if the true temperature of the planet's surface on average reached 22 degrees Celsius, the temperature course like this is very convenient for humans to live on the planet.

A thousand pities, there are huge obstacles that confront all these dreams to come true. Until now, no technology that allows humans, even newborn babies on earth though, to be able to arrive on the planet when he was still alive.

As is known, light years is a way to measure distances in space. A light year alone reached approximately 6 trillion miles or 10 trillion miles away. With angakasa space plane technology we have today, people took 22 million years to arrive at Kepler-22b.

Realistically, we may indeed not be able to visit the planet. Scientists remain convinced, there is still a planet like Kepler-22b in the distance closer and can be found in the rest of our lives. Especially since the start of operation, the instrument's Kepler spacecraft has discovered hundreds of new planets.