Category: Exoplanets

“Because tidal forces vary dramatically with the distance between a planet and its star, closer orbits also result in massively larger tidal forces.” more

“The planet lies in what they describe as a ‘habitable zone’, neither too near its sun to dry out or too far away which freezes it.” more

‘There could be billions of Earth-like planets in the Universe but a great majority of them may have a totally different internal and atmospheric structure” more

“Every star twinkling in the night sky plays host to an average of 1.6 planets, a new study suggests.” more

“‘I am 100 percent positive that we can get evolution to work outside organic biology,’ he said.” more

“Well, there are several unusual aspects of our planet,” she said. “First is our strong magnetic field. No one is exactly sure how it works, but … more

“The Kepler team is preparing a proposal to extend the instrument’s operations for another year or more.” more

“Some scientists deplore the emphasis on animals like us, saying it is hopelessly parochial and unimaginative” more

They smash into black holes and disappear. more

Biology isn’t physics. What we think should exist may not happen to. Suppose we set out to find a native North American monkey. more