Search
  • Videos
  • Windows 10
  • 5G
  • CES
  • Best VPNs
  • Cloud
  • Security
  • more
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • Windows 10
    • 5G
    • CES
    • Best VPNs
    • Cloud
    • Security
    • AI
    • TR Premium
    • Working from Home
    • Innovation
    • Best Web Hosting
    • ZDNet Recommends
    • Tonya Hall Show
    • Executive Guides
    • ZDNet Academy
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Planets cover our galaxy - we are not alone

1 of 10 NEXT PREV
  • 6338890.jpg

    A new study says our Milky Way galaxy contains more than 100 billion planets - theorizing that recent discoveries have indicated that there is, on average, at least one planet per star. The study also says that a minimum of 1,500 planets within just 50 light-years of Earth. Here's the full story from the Hubblesite.org.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338895.jpg

    Scientists from NASA's Kepler project have discovered a sun called KOI-961 with a solar system that contains three rocky planets that are smaller than Earth. The planets are too hot and close to the star to be habitable for humans but finding three exoplanets so small gives hope for the existance of a planet similar to Earth where life could exist. A year on these planets, one orbit around their sun, lasts about 2 days.

    Currently Kepler scientists are monitoring 150,000 stars for changes in their light which indicates a planet is passing in front of it.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338887.jpg

    Astronomers have found at least 10 planets to be homeless - floating freely without a parent star. It's theorized that these Jupiter-sized planets were booted from emerging star systems.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338888.jpg

    NASA announced the incredible results for its Kepler program in 2011. It started out with the discovery of the first rocky planet, then moved on to other discoveries such as a six-planet solar system and a planet orbiting one star of a binary star system. Kepler claims over 1,000 planet discoveries and 170 multiple planet solar systems.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338892.jpg

    NASA's Kepler mission announced that it has discovered the first two Earth-sized planets that are orbiting a star similar to our sun.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338889.jpg

    NASA's Kepler project last month discovered the first planet from another star that could possibly hold liquid water on its surface. So far, the Kepler Program has found more than 1,000 planets.

    Source: NASA

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338891.jpg

    Using European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory, astronomers have discovered a disc of water vapor orbiting around a planet outside our solar system. The scientists say that there's more than enough cold water vapor to fill the oceans on Earth and suggested this could be how they formed. They also theorize that comets that are formed within the disc could be responsible for transporting water to other parts of the solar system.

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338886.jpg

    Scientists using the 10-meter Keck telescopes in Kamuela, HI have captured evidence of a planet forming around a star. Scientists say that LkCa 15 b is the youngest planet ever found.

    Credit: NASA (artist's concept)

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338894.jpg

    An international team of scientists using the CoRoT (Convection, Rotation and Transits) space telescope, operated by the French space agency CNES, last year discovered 10 new planets including one that's just 10s of million years young (for planets), a Saturn-like planet, and two others that resemble Neptune.

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

  • 6338896.jpg

    Students from MIT participated in a three-semester program where they built a small satellite called "CubeSat" which is designed to explore and study exoplanets. Because CubeSats are so small, said to be about as long as a skateboard, they can easily fit hitch a ride rockets carrying larger payloads. The first CubeSat should be ready for launch in 2012.

    Source: JPL

    Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

    Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 10 NEXT PREV
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST) | Topic: Innovation

  • 6338890.jpg
  • 6338895.jpg
  • 6338887.jpg
  • 6338888.jpg
  • 6338892.jpg
  • 6338889.jpg
  • 6338891.jpg
  • 6338886.jpg
  • 6338894.jpg
  • 6338896.jpg

Recent discoveries of exoplanets by NASA's Kepler project and other research indicates that we may soon find habitable planets orbiting nearby stars.

Read More Read Less

A new study says our Milky Way galaxy contains more than 100 billion planets - theorizing that recent discoveries have indicated that there is, on average, at least one planet per star. The study also says that a minimum of 1,500 planets within just 50 light-years of Earth. Here's the full story from the Hubblesite.org.

Source: NASA

Published: January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST)

Caption by: Andy Smith

1 of 10 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Innovation CXO Digital Transformation Tech Industry Smart Cities Cloud
Andy Smith

By Andy Smith | January 12, 2012 -- 08:39 GMT (00:39 PST) | Topic: Innovation

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • Remote working, programming languages, artificial intelligence, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

    From the growth in remote working to the rise of automation and onto the demand for wearable devices, here's the research that matters from the past month in tech news. ...

  • Pitfalls to Avoid when Interpreting Machine Learning Models

    Modern requirements for machine learning models include both high predictive performance and model interpretability. A team of experts in explainable AI highlights pitfalls ...

  • Toshiba laptops through the ages

    Toshiba’s 35-year run in the laptop business is at an end, but what a journey it has been.

  • Innovative projects now online to combat coronavirus outbreak

    The spread of COVID-19 has a small silver lining: highlighting how innovative humankind can be under pressure. Here are our favorite examples.

  • Top programming languages, 5G worries, cloud computing, and more: Research round-up

    All the facts and figures that matter to you and your business from the past month in technology news.

  • Samsung Galaxy S20 first look: All the models and colors up close

    Here is Samsung's latest flagship range, in all its glory.

  • Google Maps turns 15: A look back on where it all began

    A timeline of Google Maps through the years since it was launched in 2005.

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2021 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Privacy Policy | Cookie Settings | Advertise | Terms of Use

  • Topics
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • All Authors
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In
  • Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums