Ambitious mission to capture first picture of Earth-like planet launched | Science | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/...rst-picture-of-earth-like-planet-launched-alpha-centauri-project-blue
Project Blue will attempt to build a space telescope to be pointed at Alpha Centauri,
hoping to glimpse planets where life may have gained a foothold
Astronomers have launched an ambitious project to capture the first picture of an Earth-like planet that could be home to life beyond the solar system.
The privately-led mission aims to build a space telescope the size of a washing machine and point it at Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to Earth,
in the hope of glimpsing a rocky world or two where life may have gained a foothold.
If the project is successful - and there is no guarantee - it could produce an image to rival the iconic “pale blue dot” photograph taken in 1990 when
Nasa’s Voyager 1 probe looked back at Earth as it barrelled out of the solar system.