Graphic illustrating the mass and quantity of planets SIM Lite could potentially detect. Number of terrestrial planets assumes 40% of mission time divided evenly between 1-Earth mass and 2-Earth mass surveys. Credit: JPL

by Nancy Atkinson on January 20, 2009

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Graphic illustrating the mass and quantity of planets SIM Lite could potentially detect. Number of terrestrial planets assumes 40% of mission time divided evenly between 1-Earth mass and 2-Earth mass surveys.  Credit:  JPL

About

Nancy Atkinson is Universe Today's Senior Editor. She also is the host of the NASA Lunar Science Institute podcast and works with the Astronomy Cast and 365 Days of Astronomy podcasts. Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.