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What Would Happen if a Habitable Planet was Discovered?

-- | August 22, 2015

Question: If an earth-like planet was discovered by a large US observatory that virtually guaranteed the capability of supporting life, would it be announced to the public straight away? Or would/could the government intervene and likely suppress news of the discovery for some reason? How would other nations observatories and governments likely react if they made such a find? — Bruce

Answer: I cannot think of any reason why such a discovery would be kept secret. Such a discovery would likely spur an increase in measurements of this newly-discovered planet, which would likely encourage governments to increase their investments in the science associated with the study of this planet.

Jeff Mangum

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