A new study has found that scientists have misinterpreted data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which found that Earth-sized planets are actually larger. Scientists have reanalyzed data from the TESS space telescope, which is searching for planets outside the solar system. It turned out that nearly 200 planets that were considered similar in size to Earth look different. This may affect the search for extraterrestrial life. Although some of these worlds may be large ocean planets. But this does not mean that there are conditions for life to emerge there. The study was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, writes Space. The TESS space telescope detects planets using the transit method. When a planet flies in front of a star, the brightness of the star decreases and the planet creates a shadow. Scientists say that the planet’s shadow is measured and thus an idea of its size can be obtained. Thanks to the light of the star that is reflected from the planet, scientists can conclude about the composition of this world. Scientists have re-analyzed data on planets that have a similar composition to Earth, as well as a size. But it turns out that light from nearby stars can distort the TESS data, based on which scientists draw conclusions about the size of a planet. The study showed that in most cases, planets that were thought to be similar in size to Earth are actually larger than our planet. Astronomers say that, judging by the new data, Earth-like planets are less common in our galaxy than previously thought. Scientists believe that previously thought to be Earth-like worlds may be either gas giants, such as Neptune and Uranus, or large ocean planets or hycians. The latter have a composition similar to Earth, and water is known to be the basis for life. But it is not known for sure whether the oceans covering the entire rocky planet have all the conditions for life to emerge. Scientists say the new discovery could impact the search for potential extraterrestrial life, as the number of habitable planets is smaller than previously thought. On the other hand, scientists are currently debating how common the life-supporting Geekeans are. Now scientists are set to conduct a new study of planets previously thought to be unsuitable for life due to their size. They may also turn out to be a completely different size. The post Are We Alone? Fewer Earth-Sized Planets Than Thought, Says New Research appeared first on Anomalien.com.