Kepler mission

Definition

The Kepler mission was a space telescope launched by NASA in 2009 to discover Earth-size planets orbiting other stars. It used the transit method to detect exoplanets by monitoring the brightness of stars for periodic dimming events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kepler identified over 2,600 confirmed exoplanets during its mission.
2. The mission focused on a specific region of the Milky Way galaxy to increase its chances of finding Earth-like planets.
3. Kepler's primary method for detecting exoplanets was the transit method, which looks for dips in starlight as planets pass in front of their stars.
4. The Kepler mission ended in 2018 due to fuel exhaustion, but its data continues to be analyzed for new discoveries.
5. Kepler's discoveries have significantly increased our understanding of the prevalence and diversity of exoplanets.

Review Questions

• What primary method did the Kepler mission use to detect exoplanets?
• How many confirmed exoplanets were discovered by the Kepler mission?
• Why did the Kepler mission come to an end in 2018?

Related terms

Exoplanet:

A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.

Transit Method:

A technique used to detect distant planets by observing periodic dips in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front.

Milky Way Galaxy:

The galaxy that contains our Solar System, among billions of other stars and planetary systems.