Earth-like exoplanets may be much more common within our Milky Way galaxy than previously thought

We are not alone! Why would God only create one planet earth?

"Key takeaways

• ... scientists ... challenge the theory that Earth’s water came from asteroids and comets colliding with our planet.
• The scientists identified a process through which “homemade” water can be easily produced on planets throughout our galaxy.
• The study reveals that planets like Earth might not just be common — but inevitable. ..."

From the abstract:

"Earth’s water, intrinsic oxidation state and metal core density are fundamental chemical features of our planet. Studies of exoplanets provide a useful context for elucidating the source of these chemical traits. Planet formation and evolution models demonstrate that rocky exoplanets commonly formed with hydrogen-rich envelopes that were lost over time. These findings suggest that Earth may also have formed from bodies with hydrogen-rich primary atmospheres. Here we use a self-consistent thermodynamic model to show that Earth’s water, core density and overall oxidation state can all be sourced to equilibrium between hydrogen-rich primary atmospheres and underlying magma oceans in its progenitor planetary embryos. Water is produced from dry starting materials resembling enstatite chondrites as oxygen from magma oceans reacts with hydrogen. Hydrogen derived from the atmosphere enters the magma ocean and eventually the metal core at equilibrium, causing metal density deficits matching that of Earth. Oxidation of the silicate rocks from solar-like to Earth-like oxygen fugacities also ensues as silicon, along with hydrogen and oxygen, alloys with iron in the cores. Reaction with hydrogen atmospheres and metal–silicate equilibrium thus provides a simple explanation for fundamental features of Earth’s geochemistry that is consistent with rocky planet formation across the Galaxy."

Earth-like exoplanets may be much more common than previously thought A new study led by UCLA scientists on how water forms on young exoplanets with hydrogen atmospheres and molten oceans of magma suggests that Earth-like planets may not be as uncommon as once thought and that the presence of water on such planets may be almost inevitable.

Earth-like planets may be an inevitability A UCLA-led study provides insights into how water might be formed by planets across the galaxy

Earth shaped by primordial H2 atmospheres (no public access)