Discover Mega-Earth: Kepler-10c 17x Heavier Than Earth

[Greg Bernhardt]

'Godzilla of Earths': Alien Planet 17 Times Heavier Than Our World Discovered

BOSTON — Scientists have just discovered the "Godzilla of Earths" — a new type of huge and rocky alien world about 560 light-years from Earth.

Dubbed a "mega-Earth," the exoplanet Kepler-10c weighs 17 times as much as Earth and it circles a sunlike star in the constellation Draco. The mega-Earth is rocky and also bigger than "super-Earths," which are a class of planets that are slightly bigger than Earth.

http://www.space.com/26085-godzilla-mega-earth-kepler-10c-aas224.html

 

[Drakkith]

Whew... it's quite a monster, isn't it?

 

[Mordred]

yeesh that is a big one thanks for posting it

 

[Ophiolite]

So, it is the same order of magnitude as the rocky core thought to lie at the heart of gas giants. Might this be a failed gas giant whose core formed after gas was swept from the system at the T-Tauri stage of development?

 

[pmacias]

I find the discovery of Kepler-10c to be incredibly exciting and groundbreaking. The existence of a "mega-Earth" with 17 times the mass of our own planet challenges our current understanding of planetary formation and evolution. This discovery opens up new possibilities for the diversity of planets in our galaxy and beyond.

The fact that Kepler-10c is both rocky and significantly larger than "super-Earths" poses intriguing questions about its composition and potential habitability. Further research and observations will be crucial in understanding the conditions and characteristics of this unique planet.

This discovery also highlights the importance of continued exploration and study of exoplanets. With the advancements in technology and techniques, we are able to detect and learn more about distant worlds, expanding our knowledge of the universe and our place within it.

Overall, the discovery of Kepler-10c is a testament to the ongoing efforts of the scientific community and serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that exist in the vast expanse of space.