Subscription Center
Jan 19, 2009 04:13 PM
An international consortium of researchers a few months ago reported what appeared to be the smallest planet yet detected orbiting a star other than our own sun. Such objects are known as extrasolar planets, or exoplanets, and most of the 300-plus so far discovered are quite large in size compared to Earth. But a new estimate of the size of the smallest exoplanet, known as MOA-2007-BLG-192Lb, reportedly brings its mass down even further—and even closer to that of Earth. (An even smaller object had been observed in 1992, but it orbits a stellar remnant known as a pulsar.)
Astrophysicist Jean-Philippe Beaulieu of the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris, a member of the team that discovered MOA-2007-BLG-192Lb, presented his new estimate at a recent meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society in London, according to the New Scientist. Whereas the original estimate for the exoplanet's mass was roughly three Earths, the new number is a mere 1.4 Earth-masses. (Beaulieu could not be reached for comment today.)
Although seeking out Earth-size planets is considered a prime avenue for discovering habitable worlds, MOA-2007-BLG-192Lb does not appear particularly enticing in that regard. Its host star was originally believed to be a brown dwarf—a failed star too small to initiate fusion. The new data apparently point to a red dwarf, which is somewhat larger and hotter but still far cooler than the sun.
Credit: NASA
Tags:
outer space,
extrasolar planets,
Earth-like planets,
Extraterrestrial life,
Earth-mass planets
More News Blog:
Next: Next-generation lunar rover to help fete Obama's inauguration
Previous: Driver's med: Rearview mirror, sans the blind spot
See what we're tweeting about
ChristiansenJen ICYMI: Did you know that a single cicada brood can be comprised of more than 1 species, w/distinctly different calls? http://t.co/j24mjqn2Uv
notscientific Neuroscience, psychology and genetics blogs: Feat. @stokesneuro @bradleyvoytek @gainesonbrains @smithdanag @laura_rivard #scitable
kahoakes Dun dun duuuun... RT @newscientist: Five elements at the heart of the periodic table will never look the same again http://t.co/LqrF3eD6zx
Deadline: Jul 15 2013
Reward: $5,000 USD
SciBX: Science-Business eXchange, a joint publication from the makers
Deadline: Jul 30 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Seeker desires a method for producing pseudoephedrine products in such a way that it will be extremely difficult for clandestine che
Powered By: 
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
Comments
Add Comment