Kepler discovers planet in star's habitable zone
Posted: Tue, Dec 6, 2011, 7:43 AM ET (1243 GMT)
Astronomers announced Monday the first discovery in data from NASA's Kepler mission of a planet in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star. The planet, designated Kepler-22b, is about 2.4 times the radius of the Earth and would have an average surface temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, but astronomers said they did not have information about the planet's mass or potential composition, thus making them unable to say just how much this planet may be like the Earth. The planet is the first world found by Kepler orbiting in the habitable zone of a star, where temperatures would permit the presence of liquid water. The spacecraft has now detected over 2,300 potential planets, including ten similar in size and orbit to the Earth, although followup observations are needed to confirm their existence. Scientists said the overall data collected by Kepler suggests that smaller planets, one to four times the size of the Earth, may be abundant.
Astronomers announced Monday the first discovery in data from NASA's Kepler mission of a planet in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star. The planet, designated Kepler-22b, is about 2.4 times the radius of the Earth and would have an average surface temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, but astronomers said they did not have information about the planet's mass or potential composition, thus making them unable to say just how much this planet may be like the Earth. The planet is the first world found by Kepler orbiting in the habitable zone of a star, where temperatures would permit the presence of liquid water. The spacecraft has now detected over 2,300 potential planets, including ten similar in size and orbit to the Earth, although followup observations are needed to confirm their existence. Scientists said the overall data collected by Kepler suggests that smaller planets, one to four times the size of the Earth, may be abundant.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Retired Air Force officer nominated to be NASA deputy administrator
Posted: Sat, May 10 9:44 AM ET (1344 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, May 15
SpaceX sends up more Starlink satellites
UPI — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Telstra just months away from offering satellite text messaging to Aussies via Starlink
Finder — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Astronomer Dr. Sven Buder on galactic archaeology, Starlink and indigenous knowledge
SBS — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Spire Global Selected for U.S. Space Force Contract with $237 Million Ceiling
Business Wire — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) More speculation on future of Space Command in Southern Colorado
KKTV Colorado Springs — 5:50 am ET (0950 GMT) |
