Humans may not be alone in the universe after all - at least that is what some experts are saying following the discovery of more planets in the Milky Way galaxy that could possibly support advanced lifeforms.

A study published in Astrobiology last week suggests an increased probability exists that planets in the habitable zone could develop and support a technologically-advanced species.

The study comes in the wake of an announcement that NASA's Kepler mission verified 1,284 new planets, which is the single largest finding of planets to date.

“This announcement more than doubles the number of confirmed planets from Kepler,” said Ellen Stofan, chief scientist at NASA Headquarters. “This gives us hope that somewhere out there, around a star much like ours, we can eventually discover another Earth.”

An image from deep space taken by the Kepler space telescope.

(NASA)

The study's authors Adam Frank and Woodruff Sullivan look to build on the research of astronomer Frank Drake, the founder of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute, or SETI Institute.

In 1961, Drake formed an equation to estimate the number of planets with civilizations that have the capability to communicate beyond their planet.

Frank and Sullivan aim to calculate the number of advanced civilizationsthat have existed in the Milky Way galaxy throughout its entire history, according to a Huffington Post report.

SETI Institute senior astronomer Seth Shostak commented that Frank and Sullivan are using research that states about one in five stars is orbited by a planet that could support advanced life.

Many researchers and experts have said the Kepler discovery should provide the necessary incentive for future missions aimed at understanding the cosmos around Earth - and possibly the other beings in it.

Kepler was launched in March 2009, with the goal of surveying the region of the Milky Way containing Earth for other Earth-size and smaller planets in or near the habitable zone.

"Before the Kepler space telescope launched, we did not know whether exoplanets were rare or common in the galaxy. Thanks to Kepler and the research community, we now know there could be more planets than stars,” said Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters. "This knowledge informs the future missions that are needed to take us ever-closer to finding out whether we are alone in the universe."

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Deep Space Photos and Renderings

Artist rendering of planetary discoveries by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft. (NASA/W. Stenzel)