|
Credit & Copyright: Lynette Cook
Explanation:
As the 1990s began, the only
planetary star system known was our own
Solar System.
The first extra-solar star system was discovered orbiting a
pulsar in 1991.
Slight changes in the precise arrival times of the pulses
from the central small dense
neutron star gave
evidence of
orbiting planets.
By mid-decade
Jupiter-like planets around
Sun-like stars were being found by a slight
wobble detected in the motion of these stars.
Pictured above is an artist's sketch of a
planet discovered orbiting HD217107.
As the decade comes to a close, over
two dozen planetary star systems have been identified, one
recently confirmed by the
detection of a slight
eclipse by the planet itself.
An unambiguous discovery of Sun-like star systems containing
Earth-like planets still remains a goal.
|
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day