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Article: Solar System Akin to Earth's Is Discovered; Massive, Jupiter-Like Planet Found Orbiting Distant Star Much Like the Sun
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- June 14, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Astronomers announced yesterday they had finally discovered
another solar system that at least in some ways resembles Earth's.
The discovery, the culmination of 15 years of observation and
analysis, marks the first confirmation that other solar systems have
evolved along similar lines to Earth's planetary home, with large
Jupiter-class gas giants wheeling around their suns at relatively
large distances in relatively circular orbits.
Until now, the 70 or so stars known to have planets orbiting them
have exhibited surprisingly different arrangements, with huge, "hot
Jupiters" circling their suns at extremely close distances in
frequently lopsided, highly elliptical orbits.
Such findings are, ...