super-Earths – planetaria

Water worlds are likely common

August 25, 2018August 25, 2018 by Paul Scott Anderson

When it comes to searching for evidence of alien life, the phrase follow the water is often quoted as a guiding principle. All life on …

Water worlds? Updated masses for TRAPPIST-1 planets

April 18, 2017 by Paul Scott Anderson

Artist’s conception of some of the planets in the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system. Image Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser/N. Risinger (skysurvey.org)

There is an interesting new paper out about the seven near-Earth-sized exoplanets orbiting the star TRAPPIST-1. According to the study, four of the planets may be true water worlds, although just what form those may take isn’t clear. All seven planets are close in size to the Earth, with some of them in the star’s habitable zone, where temperatures could allow liquid water on rocky surfaces.

‘Super-Earth’ exoplanets may be more Earth-like than previously thought

January 11, 2014 by Paul Scott Anderson

With the number of known exoplanets being discovered now numbering in the thousands (and estimated to be in the billions in our galaxy alone), astronomers have already …

Three ‘super-Earth’ planets discovered orbiting in habitable zone of nearby star

June 25, 2013 by Paul Scott Anderson

Artist's conception of the view from one of three super-Earth planets orbiting the star Gliese 667C, showing all three stars of the Gliese 667 system. — Artist’s conception of the view from one of three super-Earth planets orbiting the star Gliese 667C, showing all three stars of the Gliese 667 system. Credit: ESO

There is some exciting news today regarding exoplanets – for the first time, multiple planets have been found orbiting within the habitable zone of their star, the region where temperatures can allow liquid water to exist on planets with rocky surfaces, like Earth. The news release was published this morning by the European Southern Observatory (ESO).