Spacecraft discovers smallest exoplanet
Posted: Fri, Feb 6, 2009, 5:34 AM ET (1034 GMT)
Scientists using a European spacecraft claim to have discovered the smallest extrasolar planet to date, a world that orbits so close to its parent star its surface could be made of molten rock. Astronomers discovered the planet, COROT-Exo-7b, with the French astronomy spacecraft COROT by detecting when the planet transited across the disc of the star some 390 light-years away. The planet has a diameter about twice that of the Earth, making the planet the smallest known exoplanet in terms of diameter; it may not be the least massive exoplanet, though, with a mass currently estimated at between 5 and 11 times that of the Earth. The planet orbits so close to its star that it completes one orbit in 20 hours, implying a surface temperature of 1,000-1,500 degrees Celsius. At those temperatures, the planet could have a surface of molten rock, or be a mix of rock and water vapor.
Scientists using a European spacecraft claim to have discovered the smallest extrasolar planet to date, a world that orbits so close to its parent star its surface could be made of molten rock. Astronomers discovered the planet, COROT-Exo-7b, with the French astronomy spacecraft COROT by detecting when the planet transited across the disc of the star some 390 light-years away. The planet has a diameter about twice that of the Earth, making the planet the smallest known exoplanet in terms of diameter; it may not be the least massive exoplanet, though, with a mass currently estimated at between 5 and 11 times that of the Earth. The planet orbits so close to its star that it completes one orbit in 20 hours, implying a surface temperature of 1,000-1,500 degrees Celsius. At those temperatures, the planet could have a surface of molten rock, or be a mix of rock and water vapor.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, October 21
European aerospace groups reach framework deal on satellite merger, sources say
Reuters — 7:07 am ET (1107 GMT) Northrop raises annual profit forecast on strong demand
Reuters — 7:06 am ET (1106 GMT) Elon Musk now controls two thirds of satellites as 10,000th Starlink launches
The Independent — 7:05 am ET (1105 GMT) Muon Space to Integrate SpaceX's Starlink Mini Space Lasers Into Its Halo Satellite Platform
PR Newswire — 7:05 am ET (1105 GMT) Rocket Lab Schedules Next Electron Launch, Sixth Mission for Constellation Operator iQPS
Rocket Lab — 7:04 am ET (1104 GMT) |
