exoplanets – Astronomy Now

Planet-hunting TESS spacecraft finds exoplanet smaller than Earth

30 June 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s planet-hunting TEST spacecraft has discovered three planets orbiting a small star 35 light years from Earth that may provide insight into solar system evolution.

Giant planets orbiting Sun-like stars may be rare

17 June 2019 Astronomy Now

A survey of 300 young, nearby stars by the Gemini South telescope indicates giant planets may be rare in solar systems with Sun-like stars.

Perfecting the technology needed for ‘starshades’

14 June 2019 Astronomy Now

Engineers are studying plans for a future “starshade” that would block out a star’s light, allowing a distant telescope to directly image smaller exoplanets.

New study suggests tighter restrictions on exoplanet habitability

11 June 2019 Astronomy Now

New research indicates a star’s habitable zone may be narrower than previously believed, making it tougher for ET to evolve and thrive.

NASA to shut down Spitzer Space Telescope early next year

1 June 2019 Stephen Clark

After a search for an outside funding source turned up empty, NASA plans to end observations with the Spitzer Space Telescope in January to conclude a 16-year mission that discovered exoplanets, studied galaxies in the ancient universe, and peered at planets and asteroids in our own Solar System.

Rare-Earth metals found in atmosphere of hellish exoplanet

28 May 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers studying the hottest exoplanet discovered to date have detected multiple elements in its super-heated atmosphere, including iron and titanium.

Five long-period exoplanets found after 20 years of observation

23 April 2019 Astronomy Now

Persistence pays off as University of Geneva researchers confirm five long-period exoplanets after 20 years of observations

A third planet found in binary star system

19 April 2019 Astronomy Now

Astronomers studying data from the Kepler Space Telescope have found a third planet orbiting a binary star system in Cygnus.

TESS finds its first Earth-size planet and a sub-Neptune sibling

15 April 2019 Astronomy Now

NASA’s planet-hunting TESS spacecraft has found its first Earth-size planet orbiting a star 53 light years away, along with a larger sub-Neptune sibling.

First exoplanet directly observed with optical interferometry

29 March 2019 Astronomy Now

Using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, a team of astronomers has made the first direct observation of an exoplanet using optical interferometry.