Huge discovery of tiniest exoplanet

William Atkins
Tuesday, 03 March 2009 23:53

Science - Space

The discovery of this Earth-like planet could likely provide additional information on the structure and composition of rocky (terrestrial) planets such as Earth.

In fact, Michael Gillon, of the Observatory of Geneva (Sauverny, Switzerland), stated, “For the first time in human history, we can study a solid planet located outside our solar system."

He adds, "This is a major step towards the detection and study of actual Earth twins orbiting other stars.” [Science News (February 28, 2009, page 9): “Astronomers discover the smallest known transiting extrasolar planet”]

In fact, the planet has a surface temperature that is estimated at between 1,000 and 1,500 degrees Celsius.

At such a temperature, the rocky planet could really be composed of a lot of lava or other such molten substances.

The conclusion of the discovery was reported by Dr. Rouan on February 3, 2009, while at a symposium in Paris that dealt with the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) COROT satellite.