Kepler – planetaria

Kepler enters hibernation mode, downlinks latest science data before fuel runs out

July 12, 2018 by Paul Scott Anderson

The end is nigh – that appears to be the case at least for NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope which is now running very low on remaining fuel. Although this has always been expected and planned for, the Kepler team received a new notification this past …

These 2 exoplanets might have seasons and stable climates

July 10, 2018 by Paul Scott Anderson

We sometimes hear the term Earth-like in describing exoplanets that might be similar to our own world. The terms “Earth-like” or Earth analog conjure up visions of alien oceans and continents, teeming with life. But how similar to Earth might such distant worlds really be? …

Planet-hunter Kepler keeps going as fuel dwindles

June 5, 2018 by Paul Scott Anderson

The Kepler Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of exoplanets, or worlds orbiting other stars. It’s been the most successful planet-hunter by far, so far discovering thousands of exoplanets since 2009, with the promise of more to come. On May 23, 2018, NASA announced that …

Getting closer to Earth 2.0: Astronomers discover 20 new potentially habitable exoplanets

November 15, 2017 by Paul Scott Anderson

Exoplanets, planets orbiting stars other than the Sun, are being discovered by the thousands now, and there are estimated to be billions of them in our galaxy alone. So far, they have ranged from worlds smaller than Earth, to “super-Earths” and “hot Jupiters” – a …

Kepler Space Telescope discovers first evidence for exocomets transiting their stars

August 27, 2017 by Paul Scott Anderson

Comets, those icy and rocky bodies with the spectacular long tails of gas and dust, are common in our Solar System, with several thousand having been discovered so far. But what about other solar systems? Thousands of exoplanets are now being discovered, along with the …

First exomoon found? Astronomers optimistic but urge caution

August 6, 2017July 31, 2017 by Paul Scott Anderson

Artist’s conception of a large Earth-like exomoon orbiting a giant gaseous exoplanet. Image Credit: Avatar/20th Century Fox

Exoplanets are being found so frequently now that they have become commonplace. But what about exomoons? As might be expected, they are much harder to detect, being typically much smaller than most planets. There have been tantalizing hints but nothing conclusive so far. That may be about to change soon, however. Astronomers from Columbia University have reported the possible discovery of the first exomoon – but they stress that it is still unconfirmed and just a candidate at this point.

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