What is unique about Kepler-22b?
What is unique about Kepler-22b?
Kepler-22b is the first extra-solar planet, or exoplanet, that the Kepler Space Telescope found in the habitable zone of its star. Announced in 2011, Kepler-22b is estimated to be 2.4 times larger in diameter in Earth, with a comfortable average surface temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
How many stars does Kepler-22b have?
With an apparent visual magnitude of 11.7, this star is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. It can be viewed with a telescope having an aperture of at least 4 in (10 cm). The estimated distance to Kepler-22 is 638 light-years (196 parsecs)….Kepler-22.
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| KIC | data |
How does Kepler-22b look?
Kepler-22b orbits a star that is broadly similar to our own Sun. It’s a G-class yellow dwarf star, like the Sun, but it’s a little smaller, fainter and older. The star is about 600 lightyears away, in the direction of the constellation of Cygnus, and it’s not very bright as seen from the Earth (11th magnitude).
How did Kepler-22b get its name?
Kepler, the space telescope which spotted the new find, is examining star clusters, and each new star it discovers within them is named after it: hence Kepler 22, the 22nd star with a confirmed planet found by the telescope: 22b is the first planet in that system (planets are never called “a”).
Can Kepler 22-b support life?
Such planets have the right distance from their star to support water, plus a suitable temperature and atmosphere to support life. “We have now got good planet confirmation with Kepler-22b,” said Bill Borucki, Kepler principal investigator at NASA Ames Research Center.
Is Kepler 22-b in our galaxy?
Kepler-22b (also known by its Kepler object of interest designation KOI-087.01) is an exoplanet orbiting within the habitable zone of the Sun-like star Kepler-22. It is located about 600 light-years (180 pc) from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus….Kepler-22b.
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 262 K (−11 °C; 12 °F) |
Who found Kepler 22-b?
Kepler Science Team
Kepler-22b
| Artist’s impression of the Kepler-22 system and its planet (sizes to scale) compared to the planets of the inner Solar System with their respective habitable zones. | |
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Kepler Science Team |
| Discovery site | Kepler telescope |
| Discovery date | 5 December 2011 (announced) |
Is Kepler-22b in the Milky Way?
An exoplanet is any identified planet outside of our own Solar System. As of June 2013, there have been 866 exoplanets identified, located around 671 stars, nearly all within the Milky Way Galaxy. Kepler-22b was the first of the Kepler planets to be found in the habitable zone of its host star.
Does Kepler 22B have life?
Kepler 22b is about twice the size of Earth and has temperatures which average around 72 degrees (22 Celsius ). It also contains the right atmosphere to potentially support life. However, there is a downside: it is 600 light years from Earth.
How many miles to Kepler 22B?
Kepler 22b revolves around its host star at a distance of around 79 million miles (128 million km) and takes around 290 days to make one complete orbit. Kepler 22b Mass and Radius
What is the temperature of Kepler 22B?
Announced in 2011, Kepler-22b is estimated to be 2.4 times larger in diameter in Earth, with a comfortable average surface temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
How far away is Kepler 22B?
Kepler 22b is 620 light years from Earth. The planet was discovered in 2009 and confirmed in December 2011. It was the first confirmed discovery by the Kepler Mission of a planet known to orbit in the habitable zone. The planet orbits a star similar in mass and radius to our own sun, but it is around 25% less bright.