Home
> Science/Astronomy > Proximity of New Planets Stuns Even Astronomers
Proximity of New Planets Stuns Even Astronomers
ScienceDaily (June 21, 2012) — One is a rocky planet 1.5 times the size of Earth. The other is a gaseous world nearly four times Earth’s size. Together they form a spectacular system in which two planets orbit closer to each other than any yet discovered
“We’ve never known of planets like this,” said Yale University astronomer Sarbani Basu, a member of the research team that analyzed the system. “If you were on the smaller planet looking up, the larger planet would seem more than twice the size of Earth’s full moon. It would be jaw-dropping.”
Basu’s research focused on determining the properties of the planets’ host star — work that was essential for discerning the characteristics of the orbiting planets.
The 46-member, international team, led by astronomers at Harvard and the University of Washington, report their discovery June 21 in Science Express, the early release version of the journal Science.
Read mode : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120621152307.htm
Comments (0)
Trackbacks (0)
Leave a comment
Trackback
Believe nothing 