Archives - Astronomy: Page 20
Author: Thrty2Mars (Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:27 am)
Title: Ultra-Short-Period Planets
An exoplanet survey known as SWEEPS [Sagittarius Window Eclipsing Extrasolar Planet Search] has discovered several ultra-short-period planets orbiting a sunlike star using the Hubble Space Teloscope. The most recent discovery included 5 planets orbiting a star near the galactic bulge in our Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers have determined that these planets resemble Jupiter and the stars they orbit contain heavier elements like carbon and iron. Scientists conclude that the three planet types found in our solar system: rocky planets, ice giants, and gas giants, are all found elsewhere in the universe as well. This knowledge raises hopes of finding life outside our solar system.