Astronomers identify five potential planets orbiting Tau Ceti
Posted: Fri, Dec 21, 2012, 11:33 AM ET (1633 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week the discovery of up to five extrasolar planets orbiting the nearby star Tau Ceti, including one that is potentially habitable. Astronomers identified the five planets in radial velocity observations of the star taken at the European Southern Observatory in Chile as well as at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in Australia and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. The five planets have orbital periods ranging from 14 to 640 days and masses of 2 to 6.6 times that of the Earth. One planet, with a minimum mass of 4.3 times the Earth and a period of 168 days, lies in the star's habitable zone; some argue the the outermost planet may also be habitable. Tau Ceti is a Sun-like star about 12 light-years from the Earth. Some astronomers are skeptical of the finding, noting that the periodic shifts seen in spectral features could be explained by stellar activity or may be noise.
Astronomers announced this week the discovery of up to five extrasolar planets orbiting the nearby star Tau Ceti, including one that is potentially habitable. Astronomers identified the five planets in radial velocity observations of the star taken at the European Southern Observatory in Chile as well as at the Anglo-Australian Telescope in Australia and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. The five planets have orbital periods ranging from 14 to 640 days and masses of 2 to 6.6 times that of the Earth. One planet, with a minimum mass of 4.3 times the Earth and a period of 168 days, lies in the star's habitable zone; some argue the the outermost planet may also be habitable. Tau Ceti is a Sun-like star about 12 light-years from the Earth. Some astronomers are skeptical of the finding, noting that the periodic shifts seen in spectral features could be explained by stellar activity or may be noise.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Vast signs contract with SpaceX for ISS private astronaut missions
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:59 AM ET (1659 GMT) Avio signs ESA contracts for Vega upgrades and Earth science satellite launch
Posted: Sat, Dec 21 11:57 AM ET (1657 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, December 23
Isro to launch 24 experiments to space with PSLV Spadex mission
India Today — 7:16 am ET (1216 GMT) Experimental payloads developed by Karnataka-based academia and start-ups to be launched in ISRO upcoming mission
The Hindu — 7:15 am ET (1215 GMT) ISRO to conduct experiments on growing plants in space
The Tribune (India) — 7:15 am ET (1215 GMT) Isro PSLV-C60 Spadex mission: When will it launch and how to watch it
India Today — 7:13 am ET (1213 GMT) NASA probe to fly closer to the Sun than ever before
Axios — 7:12 am ET (1212 GMT) |
