can often hear the question of which of the known planets - the biggest.The planet of the solar system with the largest weight - is Jupiter.However, the density of it is inferior to many planets.For example, the density of the earth four times.This fact has allowed scientists to conclude that Jupiter consists mainly of gas has no hard core.Also Jupiter - is the biggest solar system planets, part radius, and correspondingly the volume and the surface of the other characteristics associated with the size.
If you turn in a competition sized planets found in other star systems, so-called "exoplanets" that Jupiter would be - this is not a record holder.For example, the planet TrES-4 is 1.4 times larger than the largest planet of the solar system.According to calculations, the cloud of gas should be at least 15 times that began in nuclear fusion reactions.The presence of this process is different stars and planets.
New observation techniques allow astrophysicists to open all new and new planets around other stars.Results achieved in the past decade have shown that the solar system - just one of many planetary systems.With these studies have linked long-standing hope of mankind to find other habitable worlds.The first exoplanet was discovered in 1992, and now has been known for hundreds of exoplanets.Most currently known exoplanets - is a giant the size of Jupiter or larger.
planets orbiting distant stars, it is extremely difficult to detect, since they do not emit their own light, and are in close proximity to the central star of the corresponding system.To circumvent these difficulties, the scientists use a variety of methods that allow you to capture the subtle effects, showing the presence of a planet around a particular star.The most common method of finding planets orbiting distant stars - the observation of the radial velocity modulation.This method is based on the fact that the planet has a minute effect on the movement of the stars, which can be caught by a very precise spectral measurements.This method is most likely to find the most massive planets that are too close to the star.The chances that these worlds will be inhabited, are minimal.The highest probability of finding extraterrestrial life on Earth-like planets orbiting in the belt, adapted to the establishment and maintenance of life.
Unfortunately, finding such planets is extraordinary difficulty for ground-based telescopes.To this end, it plans to launch orbiting telescopes, whose sensitivity is sufficient to observe Earth-like exoplanets.
One such orbital observatories "Kepler" is capable of detecting extrasolar planets, comparable in size to the Earth, and even smaller.For example, the planet Kepler-37b, found in the system in the constellation Lyra, is comparable in size to the Moon.It is completely devoid of atmosphere and red-hot to enormous temperatures and the likelihood that it is a life, not the biggest.The planet of the solar system, similar to the characteristics of the exoplanet - Mercury.But the fact that Kepler-37b is definitely hardwood - wonderful and encouraging fact.
