Astronomers confirm discovery of 715 exoplanets in Kepler data
Posted: Thu, Feb 27, 2014, 7:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
In the largest single haul of other worlds ever, astronomers announced Wednesday that they have confirmed the presence of 715 extrasolar planets in data collected by NASA's Kepler spacecraft through the use of a new technique. Scientists analyzing data from Kepler, which looks for brief, periodic dimming of stars when orbiting planets pass in front of them, have found more than 3,500 potential exoplanets, or planet candidates, but require additional analysis to confirm them. In this study, scientists used a technique called "verification by multiplicity," a statistical technique that focuses on stars with more than one candidate planet. This technique confirmed the presence of 715 exoplanets orbiting 305 stars, using data from the first two years of the Kepler mission. About 95 percent of those planets are the size of Neptune or smaller, and four of them orbit in the habitable zones of their stars.
In the largest single haul of other worlds ever, astronomers announced Wednesday that they have confirmed the presence of 715 extrasolar planets in data collected by NASA's Kepler spacecraft through the use of a new technique. Scientists analyzing data from Kepler, which looks for brief, periodic dimming of stars when orbiting planets pass in front of them, have found more than 3,500 potential exoplanets, or planet candidates, but require additional analysis to confirm them. In this study, scientists used a technique called "verification by multiplicity," a statistical technique that focuses on stars with more than one candidate planet. This technique confirmed the presence of 715 exoplanets orbiting 305 stars, using data from the first two years of the Kepler mission. About 95 percent of those planets are the size of Neptune or smaller, and four of them orbit in the habitable zones of their stars.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, March 17
INNOSPACE Identifies Cause of HANBIT-Nano Mission Termination Through Joint Investigation with Brazil’s CENIPA
INNOspace — 5:27 am ET (0927 GMT) ESA-enabled helical antenna innovations boost space-based connectivity
ESA — 5:27 am ET (0927 GMT) Innospace Identifies Gas Leak as Cause of Aborted Launch
Chosun Ilbo — 5:24 am ET (0924 GMT) Canada Leases Space Port in Bid to Break Reliance on US Rockets Like Musk’s SpaceX
Bloomberg News — 5:22 am ET (0922 GMT) 'Big Short' investor Michael Burry flags criticism of proposed rule change to fast-track SpaceX joining the Nasdaq
Business Insider — 5:21 am ET (0921 GMT) |
