HomeComputingMobileInternetGamingElectronicsExtremeDealsHomeExtremeNASA’s Kepler discovers 715 new planets, many of which are near-Earth sizedNASA’s Kepler discovers 715 new planets, many of which are near-Earth sizedBy Sebastian Anthony on February 27, 2014 at 9:56 amComment
Share This article Using a brand new and totally out of this world statistical astrophysical mathematical approach, NASA’s Kepler mission has announced the discovery of 715 new planets — almost doubling the total number of known exoplanets to nearly 1,700. These planets orbit just 305 stars, meaning they belong to multiple-planet solar systems just like our own — and, perhaps excitingly, nearly all of the planets are smaller than Neptune, which is only four times larger than Earth (most planets discovered before now have been much larger and not Earth-like).
Previously, discovering a new planet — or rather, verifying its existence — was a painstaking, planet-by-planet process. You basically had to watch the same star for a few years, and patiently wait for the planet(s) to pass in front of (transit) the star, creating a very small shadow. Now, a new statistical method that can watch for many transiting planets at the same time is being used. This new method was demonstrated by NASA’s Jack Lissauer in 2012, and after significant analysis and peer review, NASA decided that it was a valid way of discovering new stars. (Research papers: arXiv:1402.6352 & arXiv:1402.6534).
KeplerNow, if you’re a regular ExtremeTech reader, you’ll probably remember that the Kepler space telescope broke down, and after a few months NASA officially gave up on fixing it. Back in November, though, one scientist proposed a partial fix that would allow Kepler to continue looking for planets (though in a reduced capacity). NASA tested out the proposal, and it appeared to work — so, at least for the time being, it seems Kepler will remain on celestial planet spotting duty. (In this case, though, the 715 new planets were actually verified from data that Kepler captured between 2009 and 2011; Kepler’s observation of 145,000 stars generates more data than we can analyze in real time).
Scientifically, the discovery of these new multi-planetary star systems may help us understand more about planet formation in general. The research papers note that multi-planetary systems very rarely have planets with periods of less than 1.6 days, and a “shortage” of planets with periods over a few months (it would seem that Earth’s 12-month period is rather rare). Just four of the new planets discovered is Earth or super-Earth sized, orbiting in the planet’s habitable zone.
Hubble vs. James Webb Space Telescope, primary mirror size. The JWST will be able to gather a LOT of light.While finding new planets is nice — especially in the case of new, potentially Earth-like planets such as Kepler-296f — the real excitement will occur when the NASA/ESA James Webb Space Telescope launches in 2018. The JWST is Hubble’s successor, and its massive mirror should bestow it with the resolution to accurately analyze the atmosphere of remote planets. With the JWST operational, we will hopefully be able to discern which planets have environmental conditions suitable for extraterrestrial life.
“The Kepler team continues to amaze and excite us with their planet hunting results,” said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “That these new planets and solar systems look somewhat like our own, portends a great future when we have the James Webb Space Telescope in space to characterize the new worlds.”
Tagged In sciencespacenasaspace explorationkepleralien lifeESAexoplanetsJames Webb Space TelescopeShare This Article .article {margin:0px !important;}.AR_1 {margin :0 0 20px 0 !important;}.AR_2 {margin:0 0 20px 0;} CommentPost a Comment Heath ParsonsBut they still can’t call Pluto a planet. Haha.
standardThat’s because Kuiper belt.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuiper_belt
Which is even more ludicrous considering it has 5 moons in orbit around it.
DozermanSo do many asteroids…
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