Coming to a solar system near you… super-Earth!
Monday, August 8, 2011 - 09:00
in Astronomy & Space
It is our general understanding of solar system composition that planets fall into two categories: gas giants like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus and rocky bodies that support some type of atmosphere like Earth, Mars and Venus. However, as we reach further into space were beginning to realize the Solar System is pretty unique because it doesnt have a planetary structure which meets in the middle. But just because we dont have one doesnt mean they dont exist. As a matter of fact, astronomers have found more than 30 of them and they call this new class of planet a Super-Earth.