Astronomers discover Earth-sized, rocky, but hot exoplanet
Posted: Thu, Oct 31, 2013, 2:06 PM ET (1806 GMT)
Astronomers announced Wednesday this discovery of an extrasolar planet similar in size and density to the Earth, but closely orbiting its star. Kepler-78b, detected in data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft and later studied by two teams of astronomers, has a diameter about 1.2 times that of the Earth and has a mass twice that of the Earth. That means the planet has a density similar to the Earth, and thus is likely a combination of rock and iron. However, Kepler-78b orbits very close to its star, completing an orbit in just eight and a half hours. Astronomers said they couldn't explain how the planet formed or how it got to its current orbit, but estimated that the star's gravity would break it up in about three billion years.
Astronomers announced Wednesday this discovery of an extrasolar planet similar in size and density to the Earth, but closely orbiting its star. Kepler-78b, detected in data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft and later studied by two teams of astronomers, has a diameter about 1.2 times that of the Earth and has a mass twice that of the Earth. That means the planet has a density similar to the Earth, and thus is likely a combination of rock and iron. However, Kepler-78b orbits very close to its star, completing an orbit in just eight and a half hours. Astronomers said they couldn't explain how the planet formed or how it got to its current orbit, but estimated that the star's gravity would break it up in about three billion years.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, April 21
Moving would have ‘enormous cost’; Mayor Mobolade calls for Space Command to stay put
KRDO-TV Colorado Springs — 6:26 am ET (1026 GMT) SpaceX launches third fleet of spy satellites in 8 days
UPI — 6:24 am ET (1024 GMT) Sorry Katy Perry, you are no firework in space exploration
The Scotsman — 6:22 am ET (1022 GMT) He Was a Prophet of Space Travel. His Ashes Were Found in a Basement.
New York Times — 6:18 am ET (1018 GMT) Isro's SpaDeX satellites complete second docking successfully, more tests to follow
India Today — 6:16 am ET (1016 GMT) |
