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(617) 495-7462
Christine Pulliam
(617) 495-7463
pubaffairs@cfa
Release No.: 2011-25For Release: Thursday, September 15, 2011
From Star Wars to Science Fact: Tatooine-Like Planet Discovered
From Star Wars to Science Fact: Tatooine-Like Planet Discovered
Kepler-16b, shown in this artist's conception, enjoys double sunsets as it circles a pair of stars. The orange (type K) and red (type M) stars orbit each other every 41 days, while Kepler-16b orbits them both every 229 days at a distance of 65 million miles. Kepler-16b is similar to Saturn in size and mass, with a surface temperature of about -100 to -150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA)
High Resolution Image (jpg)
Low Resolution Image (jpg)
Credit: David A. Aguilar (CfA)
High Resolution Image (jpg)
Low Resolution Image (jpg)
This animation shows the gas giant planet Kepler-16b orbiting a pair of stars located about 200 light-years from Earth. Kepler-16b is the first confirmed, unambiguous example of a circumbinary planet.
NASA
Credit: NASA
Animation (mov)
Credit: NASA
Animation (mov)
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