Doubts raised about "habitable" exoplanet
Posted: Thu, Oct 14, 2010, 8:09 AM ET (1209 GMT)
An extrasolar planet with a size and orbit consistent with requirements to support life may not exist at all, astronomers said this week. Astronomers announced the discovery of the planet, Gliese 581g, late last month, with a mass as little as three times that of the Earth and an orbit that could permit the presence of liquid water. However, European astronomers said this week that they could not confirm the presence of the star in their own observations, raising doubts that the planet exists. Astronomers involved in the discovery, though, said they remain confident that Gliese 581g exists based on the combination of observations by observatories in Chile and Hawaii.
An extrasolar planet with a size and orbit consistent with requirements to support life may not exist at all, astronomers said this week. Astronomers announced the discovery of the planet, Gliese 581g, late last month, with a mass as little as three times that of the Earth and an orbit that could permit the presence of liquid water. However, European astronomers said this week that they could not confirm the presence of the star in their own observations, raising doubts that the planet exists. Astronomers involved in the discovery, though, said they remain confident that Gliese 581g exists based on the combination of observations by observatories in Chile and Hawaii.| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, May 2
Texas-built Firefly rocket fails on its sixth flight
San Antonio Express-News — 6:26 am ET (1026 GMT) See inside Cedar Park aerospace company that just landed on the moon
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 6:25 am ET (1025 GMT) Lohmeier, Nominee for Under SECAF, Defends Record in Confirmation Hearing
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) Senators Voice 'Deep Concerns' About Trump's Pick for Air Force Under Secretary
Military.com — 6:23 am ET (1023 GMT) U.S. Satellite Said To Maneuver Near Chinese Spacecraft
Aviation Week — 6:22 am ET (1022 GMT) |
