http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/apr/25/starsgalaxiesandplanets.spaceexploration

 

1.5 times the size of Earth and the right distance from its star to have liquid water

the exoplanet search is finding planets at a great rate and I expect that it WILL come up with some habitable ones not too far away----so that they can be studied with improved instruments.

 

But I'm personally doubtful that Gliese 581 C is a good place for life.

 

I think another planet at the same star might be a better prospect, namely Gliese 581 D.

 

that is what these people say:

http://arxiv.org/abs/0705.3758

and it makes a lot of sense.

 

Planet C is pretty close in and could have been ruined by a runaway greenhouse, like our planet Venus.

 

Planet D is further out and would be too cold EXCEPT for its presumed greenhouse blanket.

 

There's some WikiP about these planets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_581_c

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_581_d

 

The whole Gliese 581 system is interesting (tho can't be certain that it's actually habitable).

Oh, my bad, this is the same one I posted earlier this year :/

And here is that thread, for curious minds: -> http://www.scienceforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=18070