Today in homeschool, I mean boatschool we learned about Kepler-22b
Kepler-22b
NASA scientists have identified a new planet they believe to have several similarities to Earth.
Kepler-22b, named for the Kepler planet-hunting telescope it was spotted with, is the first planet to be confirmed beyond our solar system in what the Guardian called the "Goldilocks zone:" not too hot, not too cold, and therefore possibly habitable.
The planet is 2.4 times the size of Earth. It orbits a star similar to the Earth's sun and is believed to have a surface temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius, according to NASA.
Astronomers say Kepler-22b's temperate climate makes it possible that it possesses liquid water, CNN reported.
More from GlobalPost: Double sun "Star Wars" planet discovered by NASA
Kepler program scientist Douglas Hudgins described the discovery as "a major milestone on the road to finding Earth's twin."
NASA still does not know what the planet is made of, however; continued
Us military pays SETI to check Kepler-22b for aliens
"Space situational awareness" cash for Allen Array story
more on Kepler-22b here
Tonight we will be watching Jodi Foster make "Contact"
have a great day, a full week of great fishing on the lunar calendar starts tomorrow! But, so does the cold.
wes
So, 2.4 times the size of Earth. Does that mean 2.4 atmospheres? Does that mean 2.4 times the gravity? Not sure if it all relates that way...... anyway something to warm up your day, they're predicting snow tonight. Don't you feel warmer already. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGravity depends on mass but that was my first thought. Since we so often forget about gravity here.
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