Gliese 581 G (EV)

Gliese 581 G (pronounced /ˈɡliːzə/) or Gl 581 g is one of at least six extrasolar planets found around Gliese 581, an M3V red dwarf star approximately 20.5 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Libra. The planet lies near the middle of the Goldilocks zone, or habitable zone of its parent star, and the presence of liquid water is considered a strong possibility. The discovery of Gliese 581 G was announced in September 2010, and is believed to be the first Goldilocks planet ever found, the most Earth-like planet, and the best exoplanet candidate with the potential for harboring life found to date. The planet was detected using radial velocity measurements combining the data from the HIRES instrument of the Keck 1 telescope and the HARPS instrument of ESO's 3.6m telescope at La Silla Observatory. The planet is believed to have a mass of three to four times that of the Earth and an orbital period of just under 37 days. Steven Vogt, the co-discoverer, unofficially named the planet "Zarmina", after his wife.

Gliese 581 G is expected to be tidally locked to its star, just as our moon is to the Earth; the length of Gliese 581 G's day would then precisely match the length of its year. With one side of the planet always facing the star, continuous Earth-like temperatures are imaginable in the area between the bright and the dark side. Its mass indicates that it is probably a rocky planet with a definite surface and that it has enough gravity to hold on to an atmosphere. Researchers have estimated that the average surface temperature of the planet is between −24 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gliese Discovery Mission
On February 14, 2027, NASA and the Union of Everett military launched a manned mission to the Gliese 581 system, the first human interstellar manned mission, sending an AC-0001 Discovery-class space craft along with a series of two dozen satellites and specialized UAV, UGV and USV Explorer-class craft through a wormhole. EVSF Discovery arrived in the Gliese 581 system in the Libra constellation 17 hours later and fired off its two dozen satellites into various locations within the Gliese 581 system. EVSF Discovery first performed a fly-by of Gliese 581 D, the furthest planet from its sun, deploying UAV, USV and UGV craft to the surface. Discovery then entered orbit of Gliese 581 G, discovered in September 2010, and deployed UAV, UGV and USV craft to the surface. Following confirmation of atmospheric conditions capable of sustaining human life, astronauts were deployed to the surface via a smaller transport vessel and landed along the equator of the planet. UAV craft in the air had already confirmed atmospheric conditions and UGV craft confirmed plant life and potential for animal life. USV craft deployed to the seas confirmed the existance of plankton-like organisms in the oceans. Everetti astronauts confirmed the existence of life on other planets. Gliese 581 G contained an atmospheric content of 80% nitrogen, 19% oxygen, 3% carbon dioxide and 1% other gases.

UAVs, UGVs and USVs deployed to Gliese 581 D also discovered atmospheric conditions capable of supporting life with a content of 88% nitrogen, 9% oxygen, 2% carbon dioxide and 1% other gases. Gliese 581 D was discovered to be snow and ice covered with an average temperature of -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Gliese 581 D has a diameter of 11,099 miles across and is considered a super Earth. The planet's size is seven Earth masses which causes it's gravitational pull to be twice that of Earth. This results in making a five pound object on Earth weigh ten pounds on 581 D. It has two known continents but because of it's icy status, may have more, should said ice melt away and show the actual ground. There have yet to be any species discovered that live on the land. Because of the planet's icy status, land creatures may be rare to none. Vegetation has also yet to be discovered.

581 G
Gliese 581 G is currently the only confirmed Earth-like planet discovered. Following three years of scientific research led by a joint NASA-ESA operation, various species of plant and animal life have been discovered in the seas and on land. Flying creatures have been discovered but seem to be rare. The sun exposed side of the planet towards the equator is very Earth-like, similar to the Canadian wilderness. Further north or south of the equator becomes a tundra like climate and eventually an arctic polar region at the higher northern and southern regions. 581 G in the past three years of research have not turned up sentient life but some species seem to be quite intelligent. Strange structures have been found along an eastern continent, which had lead scientists to believe the planet was once inhabited by a race of sentient technological beings. The theories were confirmed during the 2030 Contact Incident when intelligent species were confirmed to the public.

581 D
Gliese 581 D was researched less often due to its extreme temperatures. Throughout most of the planet's rotation period around its sun, temperatures plummetted to -95 degrees Fahrenheit. 581 D's oceans were estimated to be full of deep sea life. On March 9th, 2027 a large dinosauric whale was discovered near the surface. What is now named lacerta orcus or lizard whale in Latin, is an 85 foot long scaled whale/dinosaur hybrid. It has sharp teeth which show it is a carnivore and therefore proves that other species exist. No species have been found at the surface yet which suggests that most sea life live at the bottom of the ocean. Lacerta Orcus was of course found at the surface, returning for air like any whale but most likely is capable of living at the bottom for long periods of time before having to refill oxygen. By 2030, about a dozen other species of sea dwelling creatures were discovered in 581 D's oceans.