New lowest mass planet found

Bad Astronomy
By Phil Plait
May 1, 2009 5:00 PMNov 5, 2019 7:17 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

I know this is a bit old, but it's still cool: Astronomers bagged the lowest mass planet yet; it has just under twice the mass of Earth! It's very close to its star and too hot for life as we know it, but that lower limit keeps creeping down. And with Kepler now patrolling a patch of the sky, how long will it be before Terra Nova is found?

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group