Planet GJ1214b. Computer artwork of the extrasolar planet GJ1214b transiting in front of its star,GJ 1214. This star lies around 40 light-years from the Sun,in the constellation Ophiuchus. The planet was discovered in December 2009 and is classified as a super-Earth as it is larger than Earth but has a mass and radius significantly less than those of the gas giants in the Solar System. It is the first of a new class of planets with small size and relatively low density. GJ 1214 b is also significant because its parent star is relatively near the Sun and because it transits (crosses in front of) that parent star,which allows the planet's atmosphere to be studied using spectroscopic technologies | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / NASA |
Taille de l’image : | 3522 px × 3484 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |