stefan
08-09-2009, 03:43 AM
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/TECH/space/08/08/space.kepler.discovery/art.exoplanet.nasa.jpg
Kepler telescope makes quick discovery
By Shelby Lin Erdman
CNN
(CNN) -- NASA's Kepler space telescope has already made a discovery, and its science operations aren't even officially under way yet.
NASA scientists who put the telescope through a 10-day test after its March 6 launch said this week that Kepler is working well. Its ability to detect minute changes in light has enabled scientists to determine that a planet orbiting a distant star has an atmosphere, shows only one side to its sun and is so hot it glows.
Kepler's ability to take measurements that precise at such a great distance "proves we can find Earth-size planets," William Borucki, Kepler's principal science investigator told reporters at a recent briefing.
The powerful scope is looking at thousands of stars in its vision field in the Milky Way on a 3
Kepler telescope makes quick discovery
By Shelby Lin Erdman
CNN
(CNN) -- NASA's Kepler space telescope has already made a discovery, and its science operations aren't even officially under way yet.
NASA scientists who put the telescope through a 10-day test after its March 6 launch said this week that Kepler is working well. Its ability to detect minute changes in light has enabled scientists to determine that a planet orbiting a distant star has an atmosphere, shows only one side to its sun and is so hot it glows.
Kepler's ability to take measurements that precise at such a great distance "proves we can find Earth-size planets," William Borucki, Kepler's principal science investigator told reporters at a recent briefing.
The powerful scope is looking at thousands of stars in its vision field in the Milky Way on a 3