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ESOcast 20: Richest Planetary System Discovered

The astronomy podcast featuring news and cutting edge science from ESO

24 Agosto 2010

Astronomers using ESO instruments have discovered a remarkable extrasolar planetary system that has some striking similarities to our own Solar System. At least five planets are orbiting the distant Sun-like star HD 10180 and astronomers have tantalising evidence that two further worlds are present. The regular pattern of the planetary orbits is similar to that observed for our neighbouring planets. One of the new extrasolar worlds is believed to be only about 1.4 times the mass of the Earth, which would make it the least massive exoplanet ever found.

To celebrate this dramatic discovery ESO has released a new video podcast, ESOcast 20. Entitled “Richest planetary system discovered”, it explains how these faraway planets were detected and exactly what we know about them.

The video is available in many formats, including HD, and can also be watched or downloaded directly from iTunes.

Links

• ESOcast 20
• ESO Press Release about the planetary system
• More info: Exoplanet press kit (PDF file, 2.9 MB)