• Photo
The "super-Jupiter" Kappa Andromedae b, shown here in an artist's rendering,

The "super-Jupiter" Kappa Andromedae b, shown here in an artist's rendering, circles its star at nearly twice the distance that Neptune orbits the sun. (NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/S. Wiessinger)

  • More Featured Content
I-5 bridge collapse survivor: 'You hold on'
Bridge collapse survivor: 'You hold on'

Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate…

I-5 bridge collapses into Wash. river, injuring 3
I-5 bridge collapses into Wash. river

The Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit River was …

Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty
Jurors deadlock on Jodi Arias penalty

Jurors have deadlocked on a verdict of life or death for Jodi …

Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
Boy Scouts to accept openly gay youths

In one of their most dramatic choices in a century, local …

Hurricane forecast: Another busy Atlantic season
NOAA: Another busy hurricane season

Thursday's outlook calls for 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 …

Advertisement

NASA discovers 'super-Jupiter'

Updated: Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012, 8:32 AM EST
Published : Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012, 8:32 AM EST

(CNN) - It's a massive discovery that's out of this world.

NASA scientists say they've found what could be a huge planet outside of our solar system. They're calling it a "super-Jupiter."

They say it orbits a star 170 light years away, and is about 13 times the size of Jupiter.

NASA says there's also the possibility the "super-Jupiter" could actually be a brown dwarf star.

Brown dwarf stars are able to generate energy by fusion, while massive planets are only able to slowly radiate the heat leftover from their own formation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. WTHI is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report Abuse."

 

 

comments powered by Disqus


Advertisement
Advertisement