GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Astronomers discovered seven planetsin our galaxy with some of them having the potential to support life.
The system of planets is called "TRAPPIST-1," and they're located about 40 light years (235 trillion miles) away from Earth. The planets are revolving around a relatively cool, dim star with a large habitable zone.
Scientists say at least three of these planets could support life if water is present. "That would be a pretty safe
"That would be a pretty safe assumption if we find that there's water," says Dave Debruyn, Astronomy Specialist at Chaffee Planetarium in Grand Rapids. "And that's a big 'if.' So let's not say that the could support life yet. The jury is still out on that one."
All of the planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system are referred to as 'exo-planets' because they are located outside of our solar system.