Spitzer space telescope detects light from alien “super-Earth”
« Back to Article
The diagram shows how the infrared light from the 55 Cancri system, both the star and planet, changed as the planet passed behind its star (Image: NASA)
An artist's impression of the Spitzer Space Telescope (Image: NASA)
An artist's concept of 55 Cancri e, a toasty "super-Earth" that rushes around its star every 18 hours (Image: NASA)
Article Summary
NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has detected infrared light emanating from 55 Cancri e, a dark, blazing-hot planet only twice the size of Earth and eight times as heavy. This marks the first time that light has been detected from a planet of such a small size, and the find is telling astrophysicists where to look in their search for signs of life on planets beyond our own.
« Back to Spitzer space telescope detects light from alien “super-Earth”
Other Images from this Gallery
Related Articles
-
Hubble breakthrough boosts search for life outside our solar system
26th March, 2008
-
Spitzer Space Telescope locates youngest solar systems
2nd December, 2007
-
New hunting technique to aid in search for Earth-like planets
12th July, 2010
-
Historic pics show worlds beyond our solar system
14th November, 2008
-
Kepler space observatory continues search for Earth-like planets
30th July, 2010
-
First Earth-size planets discovered beyond our solar system
21st December, 2011
