Using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, astronomers have confirmed that Earth's nearest known rocky exoplanet neighbor is HD 219134b at just 21 light-years away.
"Most of the known planets are hundreds of light-years away. This one is practically a next-door neighbor," said astronomer and study co-author Lars A. Buchhave of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
The super-Earth is too close to its star, HD 21913, to sustain life which it orbits around in three days. Scientists believe the hot planet’s rocky surface may be partially molten with possible volcanic activity.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...
"Most of the known planets are hundreds of light-years away. This one is practically a next-door neighbor," said astronomer and study co-author Lars A. Buchhave of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
The super-Earth is too close to its star, HD 21913, to sustain life which it orbits around in three days. Scientists believe the hot planet’s rocky surface may be partially molten with possible volcanic activity.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...