Telescope

Former UCF Student Discovers New Planet Using Spitzer Space Telescope; Pack Your Bags

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 07/19/2012 - 12:57

Researchers at UCF have discovered a new planet using the Spitzer Space Telescope according to UCF Today.

In a paper to be published tomorrow in The Astrophysical Journal, lead author and researcher Kevin Stevenson, a recent Ph.D graduate from UCF, said the new planet is a mere 33-light years away.

The exoplanet candidate, named UCF 1.01, speeds around its star (GJ 436) in just 1.4 days and is two thirds the size of earth. At present, Stevenson does not believe the planet has a habitable atmosphere and has a rather less than desirable volcanic or molten surface.

NASA Finds New Earth, Kepler-22b, Kepler Telescope Makes Discovery; Planet is Just Like Earth

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Tue, 12/06/2011 - 13:25

NASA has announce that its Kepler telescope has found another earth, nearly identical in all ways but larger. Kepler was launched in 2009 to look for other planets. The new earth planet has been named Kepler-22b but hopefully a less sterile name can be found.

The new earth comes complete with 72 degree temperatures, water, and maybe... Starbucks?

Making the case stronger is that it orbits is in the "Goldilocks" zone, not too close to its sun to boil and bake everything, but not so far away that everything is a frozen wasteland.

Earth, Version 2.0 Discovered... HD 85512 b is a Mere 36 Light Years Away in the Constellation Vela

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 09/15/2011 - 14:10

(Artist rendering of Planet, ESO / M. Kornmesser)
Jackson Hole, WY -

European astronomers revealed they have discovered another "earth". While speaking at the Extreme Solar Systems II conference that was held in Jackson Hole Wyoming, details of this new planet, named HD 85512 b, which can be found around the corner from us in the Constellation Vela, only 36 light years away. That's actually quite close compared to many other recent discoveries being made that are millions of light years away.

Supernova SN 2011fe Visible On Earth With Binoculars Say Astronomers

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 15:24

Los Angeles, Ca. -

Senior scientist, Peter Nugent, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, discovered a Supernova explosion using the Palomar Transient Factory survey which uses extremely high powered digital cameras to compare images across space to check for cosmic events.