Astronomers: We could find Earth-like planets soon

WASHINGTON (AP) - Astronomers say they may soon take another step toward answering a question that has dogged humanity since the beginning of civilization -- are we alone in the universe?

By: Associated Press | WNCT
Published: January 08, 2010

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WASHINGTON (AP) - Astronomers say they may soon take another step toward answering a question that has dogged humanity since the beginning of civilization -- are we alone in the universe?
A top NASA official and other leading scientists, attending the annual American Astronomical Society conference this week, say the discovery of the first Earth-like planet could come within four or five years.
A planet close to the size of Earth could even be found sometime this year if preliminary hints from NASA's new Kepler telescope and a wealth of new research pan out.
Scientists say this could be "an incredible special place in history."
Scientists say most research so far points to the probability that quiet planets like Earth where life could develop are plentiful, despite a violent universe of exploding stars and colliding galaxies.