You miss the point.
We can't detect earths.
We CAN detect Js (and Saturns) but its taken till now to wait long enough to confirm Js in say, 6 year orbits.
What we see is solar systems unlike ours.
Solar systems that preclude Earths.
We see Js in close. Js that destroyed other worlds in their inward spiral.
We see Js far out but >90% in elliptical orbits that would eject puny Earths.
We DO NOT see Js in circular 3 year, 4 year, 5 year orbits.
The information we get from this is that Js in well behaved systems are RARE.
Based on what we know, systems that allow for a planet in the habitable zone are rare.
You can rationalize away the data and pretend that some new discovery will reverse the trend but that is wishful thinking similar to those who had a hard time giving up the notion of plant life on Mars pre Mariner 4. The universe is a strange place, not the place we fantasize it to be.
-phil
Space/Science » in reply to Re: Rare Earths
Re: Rare Earths