Earth-sized planet found around Alpha Centauri B

Posted on Thursday, October 18 2012 @ 19:06 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Astronomers announced the discovery of the closest-ever Earth-sized exoplanet. Orbiting around the sun-like star Alpha Centauri B, the newly discovered planet is part of a three-star system just 4.3 light years away from us. The planet, named Alpha Centauri Bb, isn't a copy of ours though, it orbits at a distance of just 3.6 million miles from its star, and researchers say the planet has a heat-blasted surface that may be covered with molten rock.

Besides being the closest known exoplanet, Alpha Centauri Bb is also unique because it's the first planet with a mass similar to Earth ever found around a sunlike star. The planet is about 13 percent more massive than Earth, and is estimated to have a surface temperature of 1,277°C.
The mere existence of the planet, known as Alpha Centauri Bb, suggests that undiscovered worlds may lurk farther away from its star — perhaps in the habitable zone, that just-right range of distances where liquid water can exist.

"Most of the low-mass planets are in systems of two, three to six or seven planets, out to the habitable zone," study co-author Stephane Udry, of the Geneva Observatory, told reporters today (Oct. 16).
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So the discovery "opens really good prospects for detecting planets in the habitable zone in a system that is very close to us," Udry added. "In that sense, this system is a landmark."
Earth sized planet around Alpha Centauri B

Source: Space


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Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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