Astronomers have predicted for centuries that many stars in the universe probably have planets orbiting around them, and in recent decades their actual existence has been proven via mountains of “circumstantial evidence”. But now we actually have visible-light photographs of a Jupiter sized planet orbiting a star named Fomalhaut, which lies approximately 25 light years from earth in the constellation Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish).
For the first time in human history we can actually see an extra-solar planet. To many, this might not seem like a very big deal, but indeed it is. Why? Because with billions of galaxies in the universe, each of which contains billions of stars, there are surely many billions of planets as well – and at least some of those planets are sure to be just the right distance from their host star to support life. I have always believed that we are not alone in the universe, and the announcement by NASA that the Hubble Space Telescope has photographed planet Fomalhaut B is one step further in our effort to seek out life on a distant world.
Thanks to the Hubble and our amazing robotic explorers, we are learning more and more each day about the magnificent universe in which our Creator has placed us. What an exciting time to be alive on planet earth!
Yes, very exciting.