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, November 4
Space42 Expands SAR Constellation
Aviation Week — 7:04 am ET (1204 GMT) Intuitive Machines to Acquire Lanteris Space Systems, Creating the Next-Generation Commercial, Civil, and National Security Space Prime
Intuitive Machines — 7:02 am ET (1202 GMT) As Florida doubles down on its support of space discovery, FIU takes a lead in exploring critical governance and security issues
Florida International Univ. — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) Why Do We Celebrate UCF Space Week? Because Discovery Starts Here
Univ. of Central Florida — 7:01 am ET (1201 GMT) MDA Space investing in $10 million in Maritime Launch Services
Canadian Press — 6:59 am ET (1159 GMT) |
