Scientists have discovered a cache of over 100 new exoplanets using data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope (KST) as well as ground-based observatories.
a. Kepler Space Telescope (KST)
b. Kevlar Space Telescope (KST)
c. Kevin Space Telescope (KST)
d. None of the above
- Exoplanet, also called as extrasolar planet, is a planet that orbits star other than Sun.
- The discovery of 100 new exoplanets is expected to play a large role in developing the research field of exoplanets and life in universe.
About the Kepler Space Telescope:
- KST is an unmanned space observatory launched in 2009 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- It was tasked with determining how many Earth-like planets occur throughout the Milky Way galaxy.
- It was designed for statistical mission and not to probe into environmental conditions of planets that exist in so-called Goldilocks zone (Habitable zone) of their stars.
- It finds planets by using transit method.
- It works on the detection of tiny brightness dips caused by a planet after it crosses its host star's face from the spacecraft's perspective.
- Transit method technique requires extremely precise pointing of spacecraft.
- KST had experienced mechanical trouble in 2013, which led to a successor mission called K2.
- Astronomers around the world are competing to confirm exoplanets suggested by K2 data.
- NASA had retired KST in November 2018 after it ran out of fuel needed for further science operations.
- In its mission lifespan of nine-and-a-half year, it had discovered over 2,600 intriguing exoplanets from outside our solar system some of which may harbour life.
Question:
Q. Scientists have discovered a cache of over 100 new exoplanets using data from NASA's which telescope as well as ground-based observatories?a. Kepler Space Telescope (KST)
b. Kevlar Space Telescope (KST)
c. Kevin Space Telescope (KST)
d. None of the above
