New Atlas

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New algorithm digs up 18 Earth-like exoplanets from old Kepler data

Michael Irving May 23, 2019

Another 18 exoplanets have been added to the haul, but the difference this time is that all of them are roughly Earth-sized – much smaller than the Neptune-sized average found so far. The discovery was made in old data, using a new and more sensitive algorithm.

An artist's impression of an Earth-sized exoplanet

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NASA shuts down Kepler, ending nine years of planet-hunting

David Szondy November 16, 2018

After nine years, NASA's exoplanet-hunting Kepler mission came to a final end Thursday as the space agency sent the radio commands ordering the onboard computer to shut down the unmanned space telescope's systems.

NASA's Kepler space telescope discovered thousands of planets outside our solar system, and revealed that our ...

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Kepler mission ends after nine years of planet hunting

David Szondy October 30, 2018

The pioneering planet-hunting Kepler Space Telescope has finally reached the end of its service life and will be switched off permanently. NASA announced today that the aging, unmanned spacecraft has run out of the propellant needed to keep it from tumbling and must be retired.

Artist's impression of the Kepler Space Telescope

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New moon rising? Astronomers spot evidence of first exomoon

Michael Irving October 3, 2018

Although it’s basically a sure thing that exomoons are out there, astronomers haven’t been able to spot any – until now. Scientists using NASA’s Hubble and Kepler space telescopes have found evidence of a large moon orbiting a gas giant planet some 8,000 light-years away.

An artist's impression of the exomoon which may have been discovered orbiting the distant planet Kepler ...

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NASA shuts down failing Kepler in hope of salvaging last-gasp data

Nick Lavars October 1, 2018

NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has been on shaky ground for some time now. Mission scientists have now placed it into sleep mode in hopes of salvaging what might be its last cache of data, though there are no guarantees.

Artist's depiction of the Kepler Space Telescope

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The astronomical legacy of the Kepler space telescope

David Szondy September 8, 2018

On June 6, 2018, NASA announced that the Kepler space observatory was reaching the end of its life.Now that Kepler is approaching its final days, let's look back at its remarkable nine-year career and how it has changed our views about the universe.

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Last gasp? NASA fires up fading Kepler telescope for Campaign 19

Nick Lavars September 6, 2018

NASA isn’t done with the Kepler Space Telescope just yet. Its scientists have awoken the deep space probe to gather science data yet again, though with an unknown amount of fuel and a compromised performance, there’s no telling how successful the venture will be.

Kepler's fuel stocks are dwindling, but there may be life left in it yet

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Watery exoplanets may be common, but not very friendly

David Szondy August 19, 2018

Watery planets beyond the Solar System may be more common than previously thought, making up 35 percent of exoplanets two to four times the size of the Earth. According to a new study, many planets are made up of half water by mass as opposed to the 0.02 percent water that the Earth has.

Artist's concept of exoplanets similar to Earth

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The two Earth-like exoplanets that may have seasons and stable climates

Michael Irving July 1, 2018

When looking for exoplanets that could potentially support life, astronomers start with those orbiting within the “habitable zone." A new study has found that two of the most promising planets are now even more promising, with axial tilts that likely give them regular seasons and a stable climate.

An artist's rendition of Kepler-186f, an Earth-like exoplanet that astronomers now believe has a stable axial ...

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Kepler Space Telescope nears the end of its life

David Szondy March 15, 2018

NASA engineers have determined that the unmanned Kepler Space Telescope has only enough propellant left in its attitude control system to keep it properly oriented for a few more months. When this runs out, the spacecraft will no longer be able to collect data or transmit it to Earth.

The Kepler mission is finally coming to an end after nine years