Astronomers discover 1284 more planets beyond the solar system
Q. Astronomers have discovered how many planets beyond the solar system in total?- Published on 12 May 16a. 1284
b. 1384
c. 3264
d. 1584
ANSWER: 3264
Astronomers have discovered 1284 more planets beyond our solar system, with nine possible in orbits suitable for surface water that could provide support for life.
- Announcement brings total number of confirmed planets outside the solar system to 3264.
- These are exoplanets detected by NASA”s Kepler space telescope while searching for habitable planets like earth.
- New planets were identified during Kepler’s four year primary mission outside the solar system to 3264.
- Of the planets nearly 550 could be rocky like earth- there are 21 total known planets which could harbour life.
- Kepler also looked for changes in the amount of light from 150,000 target stars with some of the changes caused by orbiting planets across or transiting the face of their host stars, relative to the line of vision of Kepler.
- Analysis technique has been developed by Princeton University astronomers Tim Morton and colleagues.
