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Smallest Planet Outside Our Solar System Found

Posted by Zonk on from the hard-to-spot-with-all-the-space-dust dept.

mikkl666 writes "Following the recent story about the discovery of the youngest planet outside our solar system, Spanish researchers now report that they found the smallest exoplanet observed so far. The planet, known as GJ 436c, was found by analyzing distortions in the orbit of another, larger planet, and its radius is only about 50 percent greater than the Earth's. The scientists are confident that their new method will lead to a series of further discoveries: 'I think we are very close, just a few years away, from detecting a planet like Earth.' You can also reference the the original paper online for further details."

1 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I claim this land for Spain! by AutoTheme · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Gimme a fucking break! Uid of 137 makes this not a serious troll? Thought the mod system was so we didn't have to read troll/off-topic/bullshit!?!?