2011-01-11, 08:14
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Link
#11355
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Moving in circles
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Singapore
Age: 49
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Smallest planet outside solar system discovered
Quote:
Seattle (Jan 10, Mon): Astronomers have discovered the smallest planet outside our solar system, and the first that is undoubtedly rocky like Earth.
Measurements of unprecedented precision have shown that the planet, Kepler 10b, has a diameter 1.4 times that of Earth, and a mass 4.6 times higher.
However, because it orbits its host star so closely, the planet cannot harbour life. Still, the discovery has been hailed as "among the most profound in human history".
The result was announced at the 217th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle by Nasa's Kepler space-telescope team.
BBC NEWS
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