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Friday, 20 January 2012




A ‘citizen scientist’ discovers unknown world

An ordinary man has just discovered an exciting new planet.

Chris Holmes, from Peterborough, joined an online appeal to find unknown planets when he decided to log on to a website called Planethunters.org.

The website, which was set up by Oxford University, allows the public to look at images from Nasa’s Kepler telescope.

Mr Holmes found the planet when he noticed unusual solar activity on some images of stars.

The planet is thought to be a similar size to Neptune and circles its parent every 90 days. It is also expected to be very hot, so other life is unlikely to live there. 





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5 Comments


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  • CHERUB15 (Age 13) wrote on Friday, 20 January 2012 @ 16:52

    Wicked! But what if the people were made of fire?!?! That was strange but it would be cool yes? I wonder what it will be called...

  • Renesemee (Age 11) wrote on Saturday, 21 January 2012 @ 18:54

    Oh WOW!! I wonder what it is like there and if there is anything which is actually living up there. And I wonder what it will called too.

  • Mirri04 (Age 13) wrote on Saturday, 21 January 2012 @ 19:23

    Well done Chris!

  • tobydog (Age 8) wrote on Saturday, 21 January 2012 @ 19:25

    space is so amazing even if people think i'm geeky i still am soooooooooooooooooooooo interested

  • Zorua101 (Age 13) wrote on Sunday, 22 January 2012 @ 10:18

    Mr Holmes... lol :P