Interesting that most of the planets discovered so far are big and very close to their star. I don't know if thats down to the method of detection only finding that sort or if it indicates our solar system is unusual.


>Sigh.....it was not interesting to normal people; possibly it was to astrophycists....I live-blogged the news conference. Here, unedited, are my notes:
>
>
>• One intriguing system with multiple planets discovered (2 planets known, 1 possible)
>• They are discussing planet sizes and masses and densities and how they arrived at their data (the suspense is killing me).
>• Both planets roughly Saturn sized (slightly smaller), 19 and 38 days orbit with interaction between the two in orbital resonance.
>• Planets called Kepler 9b and 9c. System called “Kepler” (what a surprise)
>• Possible 1.5 Earth size third planet orbiting in 1.6 days (wow, that’s close). Not yet confirmed.
>• Scientists can make anything sound boring,….
>• Using new technique called transit timing that pinpoints planetary mass.
>• The orbital resonance cannot have formed that way….confirms some planetary migration theories.
>• The Kepler system is in Lyrae, 2000 light years away.
>• Scientists pissed off by stupid question from Orlando Sentinel reporter.
>• Another stupid question this time from CNN. “Is the 3rd planet confirmation of a small planet in the habitable zone?” Answer , if course, is that a couple of million miles from star is not exactly habitable.
>• Kepler system star is dim, low-mass.
>
>
>>Announcement about kepler probe findings coming up
>>
>>http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/news/releases/2010/10-72AR.html