Closest rocky exoplanet confirmed on This Week @NASA – July 31, 2015 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA confirms discovery of closest rocky exoplanet and continues experiments for future space missions.

Key Insights

• 💯 Spitzer Space Telescope confirms nearest rocky exoplanet outside our solar system, perfect for scientific research.
• 🤩 Hubble Space Telescope and W.M. Keck Observatory make groundbreaking discoveries of exoplanets far from their central stars.
• 🛝 Lockheed Martin's successful ground-based test improves the readiness of the Orion spacecraft for future missions.
• 🎟️ The NEEMO mission evaluates spacewalk tools and techniques for possible future Mars missions.
• ✋ California experiences a significant rainfall deficit due to a high-pressure system hindering atmospheric rivers.

Transcript

“Here’s some of the stories trending This Week at NASA!” NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has helped astronomers confirm the discovery of the nearest rocky planet outside our solar system. The planet, called HD 219134b, is a bit larger than Earth and located a mere 21 light-years away in the Cassiopeia constellation, near the North Star. While HD 219... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of HD 219134b being the closest exoplanet to Earth to be detected transiting?

HD 219134b's close proximity and transiting behavior make it an ideal candidate for extensive scientific research, providing valuable insights into exoplanets.

Q: How does the discovery of the exoplanet orbiting far from its central star expand knowledge about extrasolar planets?

The finding expands the discovery space of extrasolar planets, revealing the existence of planets as distant from their central stars as Jupiter and Saturn are from our sun.

Q: What is the purpose of the ground-based test conducted by Lockheed Martin on the Orion spacecraft?

The test evaluates the fairing panels' ability to withstand aerodynamic forces during launch and their subsequent separation, essential for the success of the spacecraft's journey to space.

Q: What are the objectives of the NEEMO mission in the Florida Keys?

The mission tests tools and techniques for potential spacewalks on asteroids, Mars, and its moons, simulating conditions necessary for future manned space exploration.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has confirmed the discovery of HD 219134b, the nearest rocky exoplanet outside of our solar system, located 21 light-years away.

• The Hubble Space Telescope and W.M. Keck Observatory have independently confirmed an exoplanet orbiting far from its central star, expanding the understanding of extrasolar planets.

• Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a ground-based test to evaluate the fairing panels on the Orion spacecraft, ensuring its readiness for future missions on NASA's Space Launch System.