The view from here

We may not be as unique as we think.  Although we can't directly see them, Astronomers have recently discovered a number of rocky planets outside of our solar system (the closest is only 20 light years away!) that seem to have just the right environmental conditions to potentially support liquid water.  So strong is the connection between life and water on our own planet that astronomers call the sweet spot around a star where conditions are potentially conducive to the formation of liquid water the "habitable zone".  Of course, for all we know there are perfectly living intelligent beings based on silicon or some other inconceivable combination of exotic elements bouncing around the universe who couldn't give a fig about water.  But there is still something  romantic about the idea that there might be another big blue marble out there somewhere.

On their way to the moon, the astronauts of Apollo 11 snapped this picture of earth sitting small, vulnerable and deeply alone in the vast void of space.  It had a profound effect on people, galvanizing many to join movements to protect the ecology of the planet.  I wonder what kind of effect a snapshot of an earth-like exoplanet would have?  Would we devalue our own planet if it seems we are just a dime a dozen?  Perhaps its even better than ours!   Or similar to the reaction to the Apollo 11 image would seeing a planet so beautifully similar to ours invoke a sense of deep gratitude for the one we call home?