News - Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics

Figure 1. Click here for a larger version. Comparison of the planets that are currently the promising candidates for potentially habitable worlds. The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) describes how similar an object is to Earth and ranges from zero (no similarity) to one (identical to Earth). The surface temperature, which is the most important factor in the ESI, depends much on the distance to the host star. The zone around a star, where the surface temperature allows for the existence of liquid water on the planetary surface, is called habitable zone. Gliese 667Cc is located in the habitable zone of its host star and is currently the most Earth-like planet known (ESI=0.82). Credit: Planetary Habitability Laboratory @UPR Arecibo.

Published Feb 17, 2012 12:51 PM

The extra-solar planet GJ667Cc (or Gliese 667Cc) has been declared the most Earth-like object known outside of our solar system. It orbits a type of star which is studied at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics.

Figure 1. Kepler-22b – A planet within the habitable zone The habitable zone (HZ, green area) is the distance range from the host star, where the temperature on the surface of a planet are suitable for liquid water. Kepler-22b lies within the HZ, just as the Earth in our solar system. Image credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech

Early Christmas gift for Kepler mission: First Earth-size planet in habitable zone around sun-like star now confirmed

Published Dec 9, 2011 02:37 PM

Are we alone in the universe? NASA’s Kepler mission is contributing to answering this question by searching for Earth-like planets that may be capable of hosting life.

Professor in Solar Physics Mats Carlsson.

ERC advanced grant to professor Mats Carlsson

Published Dec 9, 2011 11:18 AM

Professor Mats Carlsson at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics has received the prestigious advanced grant from the European Research Council.

Einar Andreas Tandberg-Hanssen (1921-2011).
Foto: J. W. Gary

Obituary: Einar A. Tandberg-Hansen

Published Aug 17, 2011 09:49 AM

Dr. Einar Andreas Tandberg-Hanssen, Norwegian-American astrophysicist, born 6 August 1921, in Bergen, Norway, died on July 22, 2011, in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Einar A. Tandberg-Hanssen spent most of his career in the United States, where he ultimately was director of the Space Science Laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. His main scientific interests and work were in solar physics.