>One in five stars in our galaxy like the Sun have planets about the size of Earth and a surface temperature conducive to life<p>That is a considerable claim that jars with most of the astronomical data I've seen. 1 in 5 is far more probable, perhaps an order of magnitude more probable than I've previously heard.<p>Does anyone have studies that corroborate their claim?<p>[EDIT]
Later in the article data is cited that more closely matches what I've heard.<p>>Independently, Petigura, Howard and Marcy focused on the 42,000 stars that are like the sun or slightly cooler and smaller, and found 603 candidate planets orbiting them. Only 10 of these were Earth-size, that is, one to two times the diameter of Earth and orbiting their star at a distance where they are heated to lukewarm temperatures suitable for life.<p>It makes for a much less sensationalist title, but it seems to have more research behind it.<p>Over all, I would question the method that caused them to arrive at the 22% idea. I'm not sure that they are accounting for the missed planets correctly; if they are, I would like to see their estimates corroborated.<p>[EDIT 2] Thank you, Tuna-Fish. Typo corrected.