NASA Verifies New Planets

Kepler project identifies nine planets in habitable zones around their stars.

Exterior of the Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center

NASA has classified more than 1,200 celestial objects in our galaxy as planets. The space agency says it’s the largest single collection of planets ever identified. But how do scientists know they’re planets? Paulette Auchtung is the staff astronomer at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit. She tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller researchers look for changes in light coming from distant stars. Click on the audio player to hear the conversation. 

You can help scientists identify planets by clicking here.

Michigan Science Center

 

Author

  • Pat Batcheller is a host and Senior News Editor for 101.9 WDET, presenting local news, traffic and weather updates during Morning Edition. He is an amateur musician.