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Kepler telescope identifies ancient solar system | Kepler telescope identifies ancient solar system |
(about 5 hours later) | |
An ancient solar system similar to our own has been discovered by scientists. | An ancient solar system similar to our own has been discovered by scientists. |
Studying data from the Kepler telescope, the team, led by the University of Birmingham, found a star orbited by five planets similar in size to Earth. | Studying data from the Kepler telescope, the team, led by the University of Birmingham, found a star orbited by five planets similar in size to Earth. |
The system, 117 light years away, is the oldest known of its kind, formed 11.2 billion years ago. | The system, 117 light years away, is the oldest known of its kind, formed 11.2 billion years ago. |
Dr Tiago Campante said it could provide a clue to "the existence of ancient life in the galaxy". | Dr Tiago Campante said it could provide a clue to "the existence of ancient life in the galaxy". |
"By the time the Earth formed, the planets in this system were already older than our planet is today," he said. | "By the time the Earth formed, the planets in this system were already older than our planet is today," he said. |
"This discovery may now help to pinpoint the beginning of what we might call the era of planet formation." | "This discovery may now help to pinpoint the beginning of what we might call the era of planet formation." |
The work is published in the Astrophysical Journal. | |
Researchers said the star, named Kepler-444, and its planets were two and a half times older than earth and dated back to the "dawn of the galaxy". | Researchers said the star, named Kepler-444, and its planets were two and a half times older than earth and dated back to the "dawn of the galaxy". |
Planets ranging in size from Mercury to Venus orbit the star within the equivalent of 10 of our days. | Planets ranging in size from Mercury to Venus orbit the star within the equivalent of 10 of our days. |
While the proximity of the planets to the star ruled out the possibility of life, Dr Campante said the discovery showed planets of an Earth-like size, capable of supporting life, could exist around a similarly ancient star. | While the proximity of the planets to the star ruled out the possibility of life, Dr Campante said the discovery showed planets of an Earth-like size, capable of supporting life, could exist around a similarly ancient star. |
"There may be civilisations out there with a head-start of a few billion years. Imagine the level of technology," he said. | "There may be civilisations out there with a head-start of a few billion years. Imagine the level of technology," he said. |
Nasa's Kepler mission has so far found hundreds of new worlds since in launched in 2009. | Nasa's Kepler mission has so far found hundreds of new worlds since in launched in 2009. |
Scientists have studied the occasional dips in light as planets pass in front of their host stars. | Scientists have studied the occasional dips in light as planets pass in front of their host stars. |
Scientists studied the natural resonance of Kepler-444, caused by the sound trapped within it, allowing them to measure its diameter, mass and age. | Scientists studied the natural resonance of Kepler-444, caused by the sound trapped within it, allowing them to measure its diameter, mass and age. |
Analysis | Analysis |
Dr David Gregory-Kumar, BBC Midlands Today | Dr David Gregory-Kumar, BBC Midlands Today |
Planet hunting is one of the most exciting areas of astronomy. What was once thought of as science fiction is now a reality. | Planet hunting is one of the most exciting areas of astronomy. What was once thought of as science fiction is now a reality. |
But what makes today's discovery by the University of Birmingham so interesting is that the astronomers have found ancient planets that are similar to those in our own solar system. | But what makes today's discovery by the University of Birmingham so interesting is that the astronomers have found ancient planets that are similar to those in our own solar system. |
It means earth-like planets have been around for much of the 13.8 billion year history of the Universe. | It means earth-like planets have been around for much of the 13.8 billion year history of the Universe. |
This expands what we know about the early formation of planets and could even have implications for the potential for ancient alien life in our galaxy. | This expands what we know about the early formation of planets and could even have implications for the potential for ancient alien life in our galaxy. |
Meanwhile a new generation of planet hunting telescopes, including one led by the University of Warwick, are just coming online. | Meanwhile a new generation of planet hunting telescopes, including one led by the University of Warwick, are just coming online. |