New Planet Kepler-16b discovered by NASA in 2011
New Planet kepler-16b discovered by NASA in 2011. Scientists across the world are perplexed. The discovery of a star that orbits around two suns has stunned many. Others are amazed. But it may take years to verify the reports coming from a NASA satellite Kepler, launched two years ago that a star some two hundred light years away orbits around two suns.
Being called Kepler or Tatooine planet, it is made up of hard rocks where gasses are frozen all over it. Reports suggest that it is the size of Saturn.
While detailing about the Kepler Mission of NASA, its website says, “Considering that we want to find planets in the habitable zone of stars like the Sun, the time between transits is about one year. To reliably detect a sequence one needs four transits. Hence, the mission duration needs to be at least three and one half years. If the Kepler Mission continues for longer, it will be able to detect smaller, and more distant planets as well as a larger number of true Earth analogs”.
It further says, “The Kepler instrument is a specially designed 0.95-meter diameter telescope called a photometer or light meter. It has a very large field of view for an astronomical telescope 105 square degrees, which is comparable to the area of your hand held at arm’s length. The fields of view of most telescopes are less than one square degree. Kepler needs the large field of view in order to observe the large number of stars. It stares at the same star field for the entire mission and continuously and simultaneously monitors the brightnesses of more than 100,000 stars for at least 3.5 years, the initial length of the mission, which can be extended”.
But the new star is reported to be lifeless and made of hard rocks all over it. The two suns it is orbiting are smaller in size compared to our own sun. A NASA scientist who is associated with Kepler mission says, “This discovery confirms a new class of planetary systems that could harbor life…Given that most stars in our galaxy are part of a binary system, this means the opportunities for life are much broader than if planets form only around single stars. This milestone discovery confirms a theory that scientists have had for decades but could not prove until now.”
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mine is a question. If these planets are about 200 light years away, are they accessible?
dickson
September 17, 2011 at 7:53 pm
AWESOME!!!!!!!
Taylor
September 17, 2011 at 11:13 pm
From what I understand, travel to these systems is not currently possible, but will be upon further research and development in antimatter propulsion systems. We have the technology and know how, but money is a big cap on the rate of development.
Additionally, as antimatter propulsion is not as fast as the speed of light, it would take longer than 200 years to get there, but we could do it.
Travis Kleczka
September 17, 2011 at 11:34 pm
How does it orbit around the 2 suns?
Sadanand
September 18, 2011 at 10:38 am
Basically one smaller sun can revolve around a larger sun, or two equally sized suns can revolve around each other, keeping themselves in equilibrium.
Tom
September 18, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Its nice but how it can revolve around two suns AND I DONT THINK SO LIFE MUST BE EXISTING ON IT
Ira Sahakari
September 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Does this mean there is another sun somewhere in the Universe??? Could it be as hot as ours???
Shevmaen
September 19, 2011 at 11:31 am
Why is the above article repeatidly calling the planet a star? Why are the 2 stars being called suns? All suns are called stars. All planets are called planets. Is the editor on vacation?
But it is great to hear of the discovery. It makes one wonder are we really alone in this universe. However my kids, kids will be long dead before anyone reaches it. Someday man may visit it.
Fred
September 20, 2011 at 8:34 am
It is thrilling,wonderful, we eagerly to see/hear one day we found any such planet similiar to earth,
that would be great day for humanbeing…!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Surender Singh Bisht
September 23, 2011 at 1:07 am
step by step. we’ve found it. we’ll access them later. great work NASA.
Blayzw
September 25, 2011 at 3:08 pm
2oo light years away form earth! and not 200 years? Imagine if an average human being of 6o yrs,(minus 20yrs from childhood to adulthood)travels at speed of 1 light year,he can cover only 40 light years.But then 200 light years? A simplified explanation PLEASE?
kumar
October 17, 2011 at 8:37 am
I don’t think this planet is accessibile from earth.But in the future there will be super fast aircrafts that can reach this planet in 1 or 2 months.Iknow it shold be lukurious
seshankcoolbuddy
October 17, 2011 at 9:22 am
If it revolves around 2 suns then will there be any night in that planet?
Venkat
October 17, 2011 at 7:42 pm
usually you have said aliens are like humans then why they still not attacked or occupied earth since they have all the weapons which can over rule earth.
uma prithika
October 18, 2011 at 10:34 am
Well we have all the weapons and technology then why are we not attacking any alien planets?
Arun.V.Anand
October 18, 2011 at 2:57 pm
have you discovered life on any other planets?
what is the maximum wireless range we can access?
how do you keep names for new discoveries?
VINEET GUPTA
October 21, 2011 at 4:22 pm
cool
Princess Olivo
December 9, 2011 at 9:44 am