Are We Alone in the Universe?

Probably one of the oldest questions ever asked by humanity. What if we discover that there IS a planet out there capable of sustaining human life? Until we arrive to that planet I'm sure some protocols will have been invented by then and set in place.
But are we close? Read closely and you might be surprised at what has been found.

NASA's Kepler spacecraft is a prolific hunter of planets outside our solar system. Since it's launching in 2009 Keplar has confirmed more than 1,000 of these exoplanets and cataloged thousands of more candidates.

The collection includes planets with densities greater than iron and lower than styrofoam. Planets bigger than Jupiter and smaller than Mercury. Planets with one, two or even four suns.
The number and variety of exoplanets is inspiring to researchers but in some ways leaves the collection something to be desired. Non scientists and scientists alike share a longing to find one particular type of world, a world like Earth. That speaks to us in a way that "hot" Jupiters and multiple star systems cannot. Kepler Spacecraft Launch March 7, 2009, 3:49 AM

We long for a world whose very existance cries, "we are not alone."

Kepler has recently found the closest compeer to the Earth/Sun system. In July 2015 NASA announced the discovery of 452b, an exoplanet just over one and a half times "wider" than Earth, orbiting a G2 type star (similar to our sun). More promising is Kepler 452b's orbit is located in what is called the "goldilocks" of its star system. Where the temperature is "just right" for liquid water to exist. This is also known as the "habitable zone", because H2O is required for life (as we know it.)

Jon Jenkins headed NASA's Ames reserach team and was quoted as saying, "Think of 452b as an older bigger cousin to Earth. It's awe inspiring to consider that this planet has spent six billion years in its "habitable zone" of its star... longer than Earth. That's substantial opportunity for life to arise should all the necessary "ingredients"and "conditions" for life ... exist on this planet."

Kepler 452b is not the first exoplanet that has been found in a "habitable zone" about a dozen others in this size range have been discovered, so far. That is 10 to 15 exoplanets between one half and twice the size of Earth. Depending upon how the habitable zone is defined and allowing for uncertainties in measured planetary sizes.

Here is a breakdown of Earth in comparison to Kepler 452b.

Both Kepler 452b and Earth orbit the habitable zone of their star.
A year on Kepler 452b is 385 days. Earth year = 365 days.
Kepler 452b is only 5% farther to its parent star in comparison to Earth and its sun. (This extra distance is mitigated by extra sunlight.)
Kepler 452b's star is 20% brighter and is 10% larger than Earth's sun.
Kepler 452b's gravity is twice that of Earth.
Kepler 452b's is about 60% larger than Earth.
Kepler 452b's age aprrox: 6 Billion years old. Earths age approx: 4.5 Billion years old.

I hope this post peaked your interest for more info about Kepler 452b follow the link.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/main/index.html

On a different note if I were to discover a habitable planet, I would question @ned to see if this is were all the Steemit whales hang out? They must be there... because I'm getting no love for my posts.

Please upvote and as always Excelsior!!!!!