Earlier we think that satellites are intended for environmental monitoring, meteorology, telecommunication, map making etc. But now these man made satellites will play another role to detect distant rocky world. According to the European Space Agency a satellite will be launched to search new planets beyond our solar system.
In this French project, COROT ( COnvection ROtation and Planetary Transits) will be sent into orbit with a telescope capable of detecting smaller planets. “COROT could detect so many planets of this new type, together with plenty of the old type, that astronomers will be able to make statistical studies of them,” Malcolm Fridlund, ESA’s project scientist for COROT, said in a statement.
COROT, a project of the French National Space Studies Center will be able to detect smaller, rocky planets. The measurement of type of planet orbiting a particular star will depend on the light emitted by a star and detect the drop in brightness caused when a planet passes in front it. The satellite is due to be launched on Dec. 21.
Via:msnbc
