The French and European Space Agency have plans to launch the COROT spacecraft in December to look for exoplanets, or planets outside of our solor system. NASA is not far behind, planning to send the Kepler into space in October 2008. And how many explanets have been discovered to date? According to the California and Carnegie Planet Search site, about 182 exoplanets have been detected by astronomers. For example, the site currently highlights a "Super-Earth" orbiting the star Gliese 876. This newly discovered planet is a 7.5 Earth-mass planet orbiting this star and the lowest mass exoplanet known to be nearby.
Monday, November 27
The Search for New Planets
The French and European Space Agency have plans to launch the COROT spacecraft in December to look for exoplanets, or planets outside of our solor system. NASA is not far behind, planning to send the Kepler into space in October 2008. And how many explanets have been discovered to date? According to the California and Carnegie Planet Search site, about 182 exoplanets have been detected by astronomers. For example, the site currently highlights a "Super-Earth" orbiting the star Gliese 876. This newly discovered planet is a 7.5 Earth-mass planet orbiting this star and the lowest mass exoplanet known to be nearby.
All is Quiet with the God of War
The Mars Global Surveyor went quiet on November 2nd, and the chance of restoring communications is slim. The spacecraft has been circling Mars for more than 10 year, about 8 years longer than anticipated, so we have been lucky to date. Mars is still covered by a variety of craft, including the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, two Mars rovers, and Mars Express. The problem is believed to be a disabled solar power array. For more on the mission, visit this link.