Fact Sheet
Icy Wonder
An artist's concept depicts what may be the most Earth-like planet orbiting a "normal" star yet discovered. The planet is about five times as massive as Earth, and orbits its parent star once every 10 years. The star is smaller and less massive than the Sun, so it produces much less light and heat. That means the planet is quite cold, with a surface that may be coated with ice. Most of the other planets discovered to date are much larger and closer to their parent stars, so they are quite hot. Such planets are often described as "hot Jupiters." [Credit: European Southern Observatory]
|