Stellar eclipse gives glimpse of exoplanet
A group of astronomers led by an MIT professor has spotted an exoplanetary eclipse of a star only 40 light years away — right around the corner, astronomically speaking — revealing a “super-Earth.” The far-out planet, named 55 Cancri e, is twice as big as Earth and nearly nine times more massive. It is most likely composed of rocky material, similar to Earth, supplemented with light elements such as water and hydrogen gas. Scientists estimate the planet’s surface is much hotter than ours: close to 2,700 degrees Celsius. Exoplanets — planets outside our own solar system — have captivated astronomers in recent years as interest in finding life on other Earth-like planets has intensified.But Josh Winn, the Class of 1942 Career Development Assistant Professor of Physics at MIT, says exobiologists should probably not flock to 55 Cancri e looking for signs of life: The temperatures are just too high to...