SCIENCE IN THE NEWS WEEKLY
Kepler Reports Possible Earth-Sized Planet
It was reported last week that the Kepler Telescope may have spotted a planet about the size of Earth orbiting a star 2,000 light-years away. This was the first announcement of a candidate Earth-size planet by the Kepler mission, one of more than 700 candidate planets announced in June.
In other space news, thanks to the European Southern Observatory, astronomers reportedly have discovered a planetary system containing at least five planets that orbit a star 127 light-years away in the southern constellation of Hydrus.
And a new study suggests that our solar system may be almost 2 million years older than previously thought, based on analysis of a meteorite recovered from the Saharan Desert.
New research indicates the moon has shrunk slightly over the eons. Scientists say cracks in its crust that formed as the interior cooled have shrunk over the last billion years or so. That means the surface has shrunk, too.
And, finally, New Scientist looked at what it will take for people to survive lengthy space misssions, such as one to Mars. Recently released astronaut records from past space station missions indicate some of the physical challenges that will be associated with long space trips.
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