Using the relatively new technique of gravitational microlensing, astronomers discover their “most Earth-like planet yet”, orbiting a star in Sagittarius 20,000 light-years away. While this planet — currently named OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb — is likely too cold for habitation, “‘we may predict with reasonable probability that microlensing will discover planets with masses like that of Earth at a similar distance from their stars and with comparable surface temperature,’ said study co-author Bohdan Paczynski from Princeton University.“
Tag: Other Worlds
Martian H20 and Planet X?
Some intriguing new finds right here in our neighborhood: The ESA posts some very nice images of a frozen Martian lake, and astronomers have found a large object (and its moon) orbiting our sun outside Pluto.
Dark Globes No More.
Only a decade after the discovery of the first extra-solar planet, two separate teams of scientists manage to “see” exoplanets directly for the first time. “Dr. Geoffrey Marcy, a planet hunter at the University of California in Berkeley, called the results ‘the stuff of history books.‘”
It’s Super, Thanks for Asking.
In something of a breakthrough, astronomers discover a “Super-Earth” that’s smaller, rockier, and closer — a mere 50 light years away — than the many gas giants previously discovered. Alas, with a surface temperature of approximately 1160 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s probably not the best spot for finding any kind of life. Still, baby steps.
More fun than Sea Monkeys!
If you thought Manhattan for $24 was a great deal, check this out…Entire galaxies for $19.99 each. Sure, the location’s terrible, but think of the space… (Via Footprints.)
Inherit the Stars.
NASA discovers a 13-billion-year-old planet in M4, a globular star cluster in Scorpius. I presume it’s where the monoliths came from.
Earth-2?
Astronomers find a Jupiter-sized planet outside the habitable zone of a solar system not unlike ours. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until at least 2007 to see what lies closer to HD70642.