Class M Planets Common?

A new study by Northwestern University astronomers, using recent data from the 300 planets discovered orbiting other stars, puts forth the view that Earth-like planets are not uncommon.
"These other planetary systems don't look like the solar system at all," said Prof Frederic Rasio, senior author of a study in the journal Science.
However, it does suggest that 'Goldilocks' planets such as Earth, which are not too hot and not too cold for life to thrive, could still be common.
The study illustrates that if early conditions had been just slightly different, very unpleasant things could have happened - like planets being thrown into the sun or jettisoned into deep space.

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