Viewing Earthlike Planets

[Lorna]

How close are we to being capable of viewing Earth like planets and determining if it has an Oxygen atmosphere and water and plant life?

I recall a program a long while back where it discussed some kind of telescope they were sending up which would allow us to actually look directly at Earth like planets and see them in detail.

 

[T J]

5 years if not sooner. But that's just what I've heard. I couldn't site any particular example. Funding is always an issue.

Once we've found one or some then the question becomes... then what?

 

[diankra]

Remember that 50 years ago, we couldn't say for sure whether Mars and Venus had Earth-ish (survivable, if not pleasant) atmospheres.
It took space probe fly-bys to cut through the theories (and show neither were easily inhabitable).
15 years ago, astronomers couldn't be sure there were any extra solar planets. Now we know the 'Jupiters' are common, and it looks as if Earth/Venuses are also, by implication. But...
The observation techniques are coming on in leaps and bounds, but it depends on the inventiveness of astronomers whether we'll be able to spot the difference between an extra-solar Earth-sized world and and Earth-like biosphere any time soon.

 

[cloneof]

Just remember, just becouse it's green, there is no real reason to believe there is life down there.

 

[flux_29]

Finding a rocky planet with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere would be enough.

 

[mic of orion]

How close are we to being capable of viewing Earth like planets and determining if it has an Oxygen atmosphere and water and plant life?

I recall a program a long while back where it discussed some kind of telescope they were sending up which would allow us to actually look directly at Earth like planets and see them in detail.

about 15 years. when i say 15, i mean by than we'd be able to see more than just if it has water, we'd be able determine atmospheric composition with certain accuracy and even image the planet, although it'll appear more like pluto to us right now.

Europe is to build very large telescope, 42m diameter and this telescope will be able to do all that i've mentioned above. Construction started last year, should be operational by 2015/16

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Extremely_Large_Telescope

Something like this might be operational by 2027/8 if built this telescope would have more power than Hubble x 500.