NASA: mission accomplished, Kepler – now look harder still
« Back to Article
Artist's impression of Kepler-47, the first confirmed binary system with multiple planets (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle)
An artist's impression of Kepler-36c viewed from Kepler-36b (Image: Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics/David Aguilar)
Kepler's image sensor array
Artist's rendition of the Kepler Space Telescope
Article Summary
It's been more than three and a half years since the Kepler Space Telescope began its mission as humanity's watcher for Earth-like planets outside of the Solar System. In that time, Kepler has done exactly what was asked of it: provide the data to help identify more than 2,300 exoplanet candidates in other star systems. And so NASA has announced the "successful completion" of Kepler's prime mission. There's one nagging detail, though: we are yet to find a truly Earth-like planet. It's time to alter the parameters of the search.
« Back to NASA: mission accomplished, Kepler – now look harder still
Other Images from this Gallery
Related Articles
-
First Earth-size planets discovered beyond our solar system
21st December, 2011
-
Kepler spacecraft discovers tiniest solar system yet found
23rd January, 2012
-
Planet seeking Kepler Spacecraft readies for launch
25th February, 2009
-
Kepler finds rare multiple planetary system in 'habitable zone'
7th February, 2011
-
Kepler mission discovers first planet orbiting two stars
19th September, 2011
-
Kepler space observatory continues search for Earth-like planets
30th July, 2010
