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Kepler Discovers Solar System's Ancient 'Twin'

Posted by Soulskill on from the not-quite-sol-o dept.

astroengine writes: Astronomers have found a star system that bears a striking resemblance to our inner solar system. It's a sun-like star that plays host to a system of five small exoplanets — from the size of Mercury to the size of Venus. But there's something very alien about this compact 'solar system'; it formed when the universe was only 20 percent the age it is now, making it the most ancient star system playing host to terrestrial sized worlds discovered to date.

2 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. How are they rocky? by cusco · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I thought that it took multiple generations of supernovas to produce enough heavy elements to accumulate into a rocky planet.

    --
    "Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
    1. Re:How are they rocky? by doug · · Score: 4, Insightful

      In the early universe, things were closer together (less time for expansion), and there were more large, hot stars. A stellar generation would have been faster than it is now. That said, it does sound a bit zippy.