The discovery of a previously unknown planet just a little larger than Earth, in our closet neighboring star system is creating headlines around the world. The find has researchers excited, because the planet might be cool enough that it has water, and possibly conditions making life possible. While researchers around the world were involved in the confirmation of the existence of what’s been named as Proxima B, perhaps nowhere is there as much excitement as there is in Santa Barbara County right now. That’s because the global telescope network operated by the Goleta-based Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network, as well as some of its researchers were involved in the project.
Dr. Rachel Street is the Project Scientist for Los Cumbres Observatory. She says the Goleta based non-profit’s global network of telescopes played a key role in proving the theory about Proxima B’s existence.
A former member of the Las Cumbres team, Yiannis Tsapras, who is now based in Germany, was one of the lead researchers in the discovery. Street says while confirmation of the planet’s existence is a breakthrough, there’s a lot more research which need to occur.
Many researchers say Proxima B could prove key clues in the hunt for life in other parts of the universe.
