Astronomers find potential exoplanet smaller than Earth
Posted: Thu, Jul 19, 2012, 6:57 AM ET (1057 GMT)
Astronomers examining data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have found evidence for an extrasolar planet two-thirds the size of the Earth tightly orbiting its star. The University of Central Florida astronomers found the potential world in Spitzer observations of GJ 436, a star already known to have a Neptune-sized exoplanet, when they noted small, periodic dips in the star's infrared light that they believe are caused by another planet transiting the star's disk. If the object, designated UCF-1.01, is a planet, it would be two-thirds the diameter of the Earth, although its mass is unknown; it completes one orbit of GJ 436 in just 1.4 days, creating a surface temperature of about 600 degrees Celsius. Astronomers also detected evidence for a third planet, UCF-1.02, orbiting the star, but concluded there is not enough data to confirm the objects are planets, calling them planet candidates for now.
Astronomers examining data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope have found evidence for an extrasolar planet two-thirds the size of the Earth tightly orbiting its star. The University of Central Florida astronomers found the potential world in Spitzer observations of GJ 436, a star already known to have a Neptune-sized exoplanet, when they noted small, periodic dips in the star's infrared light that they believe are caused by another planet transiting the star's disk. If the object, designated UCF-1.01, is a planet, it would be two-thirds the diameter of the Earth, although its mass is unknown; it completes one orbit of GJ 436 in just 1.4 days, creating a surface temperature of about 600 degrees Celsius. Astronomers also detected evidence for a third planet, UCF-1.02, orbiting the star, but concluded there is not enough data to confirm the objects are planets, calling them planet candidates for now.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
SpaceX sets Nov. 18 launch date for sixth Starship test flight
Posted: Sat, Nov 9 9:57 AM ET (1457 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 23
DirecTV Abandons Deal to Acquire Dish Amid Bondholder Opposition
Hollywood Reporter — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV Ditches Dish Deal
Variety — 2:16 am ET (0716 GMT) DirecTV calling off Dish Network takeover after bondholders balk
Los Angeles Times — 2:15 am ET (0715 GMT) DirecTV terminates Dish deal over failed debt swap
Reuters — 2:14 am ET (0714 GMT) DirecTV announces termination of deal to buy Dish satellite business
Ars Technica — 2:13 am ET (0713 GMT) |
