As much fun as it is to imagine exploring other worlds spread
throughout the galaxy, we all recognize how difficult it will be
to travel such incredible distances. So it only makes sense that
our first interstellar journeys head toward exoplanets as close
to Earth as possible. At only 10 light-years away, Epsilon
Eridani b is a great place to start. The only downside to that
itinerary is that it's an extremely unlikely candidate for
hosting life. Not only is the planet a gas giant similar to our
own Jupiter or Saturn, but it might follow an orbit that brings
it close to and far from its parent star. If this is right, it
means that even if the planet has terrestrial moons, they likely
wouldn't be able to stand the extreme temperature swings that go
along with Epsilon Eridani b's eccentric orbit. But some
scientists argue the planet has a more regular, circular orbit
instead, which makes the faraway system appear more like our own
-- asteroid belt and all [source: NASA]. Actually, Epsilon
Eridani is surrounded