Kepler-10b exoplanet, artwork
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Framed Print of Kepler-10b exoplanet, artwork
NASAs KEPLER MISSION DISCOVERS ITS FIRST ROCKY PLANET
WASHINGTON -- NASAs Kepler mission confirmed the discovery of its
first rocky planet, named Kepler-10b. Measuring 1.4 times the size of
Earth, it is the smallest planet ever discovered outside our solar
system.
The discovery of this so-called exoplanet is based on more than eight
months of data collected by the spacecraft from May 2009 to early
January 2010.
All of Keplers best capabilities have converged to yield the first
solid evidence of a rocky planet orbiting a star other than our sun,
said Natalie Batalha, Keplers deputy science team lead at NASAs
Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. and primary author of
a paper on the discovery accepted by the Astrophysical Journal. The
Kepler team made a commitment in 2010 about finding the telltale
signatures of small planets in the data, and its beginning to pay
off.'
Keplers ultra-precise photometer measures the tiny decrease in a
stars brightness that occurs when a planet crosses in front of it.
The size of the planet can be derived from these periodic dips in
brightness. The distance between the planet and the star is
calculated by measuring the time between successive dips as the
planet orbits the star.
Kepler is the first NASA mission capable of finding Earth-size planets
in or near the habitable zone, the region in a planetary system where
liquid water can exist on the planets surface. However, since it
orbits once every 0.84 days, Kepler-10b is more than 20 times closer
to its star than Mercury is to our sun and not in the habitable zone.
Kepler-10 was the first star identified that could potentially harbor
a small transiting planet, placing it at the top of the list for
ground-based observations with the W.M. Keck Observatory 10-meter
telescope in Hawaii.
Scientists waiting for a signal to confirm Kepler-10b as a planet were
not disappointed. Keck was able to measure tiny changes in the stars
spectrum, called Doppler shifts, caused by the telltale tug exerted
by the orbiting planet on the star.
The discovery of Kepler 10-b is a significant milestone in the search
for planets similar to our own, said Douglas Hudgins, Kepler program
scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Although this planet
is not in the habitable zone, the exciting find showcases the kinds
of discoveries made possible by the mission and the promise of many
more to come, he said.
Knowledge of the planet is only as good as the knowledge of the star
it orbits. Because Kepler-10 is one of the brighter stars being
targeted by Kepler, scientists were able to detect high frequency
variations in the stars brightness generated by stellar
oscillations, or starquakes. This analysis allowed scientists to pin
down Kepler-10bs properties.
There is a clear signal in the data arising from light waves that
travel within the interior of the star. Kepler Asteroseismic Science
Consortium scientists use the information to better understand the
star, just as earthquakes are used to learn about Earths interior
structure. As a result of this analysis, Kepler-10 is one of the most
well characterized planet-hosting stars in the universe.
Thats good news for the team studying Kepler-10b. Accurate stellar
properties yield accurate planet properties. In the case of
Kepler-10b, the picture that emerges is of a rocky planet with a mass
4.6 times that of Earth and with an average density of 8.8 grams per
cubic centimeter -- similar to that of an iron dumbbell. Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations. © Detlev van Ravenswaay
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Media ID 6320269
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Modern 14"x12" (36x31cm)
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Wood effect frame, card mounted, 10x8 fade resistant photo print. Overall outside dimensions 14x12 inches (36x31cm). Environmentally and ozone friendly, 40mm wide x 15mm Polycore® moulding has the look of real wood, is durable and light and easy to hang. Biodegradable and made with non-chlorinated gases (no toxic fumes) it is efficient; producing 100 tons of polystyrene can save 300 tons of trees! Prints are glazed with lightweight, shatterproof, optical clarity acrylic (providing the same general protection from the environment as glass). The back is stapled hardboard with a sawtooth hanger attached. Note: measurements provided are estimated outer dimensions, which include both the image and the frame. While we aim to keep sizing consistent, exact dimensions may vary slightly due to differences in print size or production requirements, which may result in a variation in the overall size (up to approximately 2.5cm (1"))
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 18.5cm x 24.4cm (7.3" x 9.6")
Estimated Product Size is 31cm x 36cm (12.2" x 14.2")
