by Playfuls Staff |
27th July 2006
U.S. astronomers say computer simulations of four nearby systems that contain giant planets have found one that might have formed an Earth-like planet. [more]
A second planetary system is likely to have a belt of rocky bodies the size of Mars or smaller while the other two, the computer models show, do not have the proper conditions to form an Earth-size planet. Each system lies within 250 light years of Earth -- a light year is about 5.88 trillion miles.
For each of the four systems, researchers conducted 10 computerized simulations that placed small planet embryos, or protoplanets, in the system to see if they are able to gather more material and form a true planet the size of Earth.
Each simulation assumed the same conditions in the planetary system except the position and mass of each protoplanet was slightly altered, said Sean Raymond, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Colorado, and lead author of the paper. He took part in the work while an astronomy doctoral student at the University of Washington.
The research appears in the June issue of the Astrophysical Journal.
© 2006 UPI
