Kepler new planet
You're referring to the recent discovery of a new exoplanet by the Kepler space telescope!
On February 26, 2020, NASA announced the discovery of a new exoplanet, Kepler-1649c, which is a potentially habitable world located about 300 light-years from Earth. Here are some key facts about this exciting new find:
Name: Kepler-1649c
Location: The exoplanet orbits a small, cool star called Kepler-1649, which is located in the constellation Cygnus.
Size: Kepler-1649c is about 1.06 times larger than Earth, making it a "super-Earth" or a "mini-Neptune."
Mass: The mass of Kepler-1649c is estimated to be around 4.5 times that of Earth, which is relatively large for a super-Earth.
Orbit: The exoplanet takes about 19.5 hours to complete one orbit around its star, which is much shorter than Earth's 24-hour day.
Temperature: Scientists estimate that the surface temperature of Kepler-1649c could be around 0°C to 30°C (32°F to 86°F), making it potentially habitable.
Habitability: The exoplanet's size and orbit suggest that it could have a thick atmosphere, which could trap heat and make it suitable for liquid water to exist on its surface. This increases the chances of finding life beyond Earth.
Detection: Kepler-1649c was discovered using the transit method, where the spacecraft measures the dimming of the star's light as the exoplanet passes in front of it.
This discovery is significant because it expands our understanding of the diversity of exoplanets and their potential for hosting life. The search for life beyond Earth is an ongoing effort, and discoveries like Kepler-1649c bring us closer to answering the question: Are we alone in the universe?