Contact: Christine Pulliam
cpulliam@cfa.harvard.edu
617-495-7463
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Variety of Kepler Planets

Caption: This artist's illustration represents the variety of planets being detected by NASA's Kepler spacecraft. A new analysis has determined the frequencies of planets of all sizes, from Earths up to gas giants. Key findings include the fact that one in six stars hosts an Earth-sized planet in an orbit of 85 days or less, and that almost all sun-like stars have a planetary system of some sort.

Credit: C. Pulliam & D. Aguilar (CfA)

Usage Restrictions: None

Related news release: At least 1 in 6 stars has an Earth-sized planet