Kepler-90i: Eighth planet in Kepler-90 solar system discovered

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered eighth planet circling Kepler-90, a Sun-like star which is 2545 light-years far from Earth. It was dubbed as Kepler-90i.
The eight planet was discovered by Researchers Christopher Shallue and Andrew Vanderburg by applying Google’s machine-learning technology to data collected by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope.
Machine learning: It is an approach towards artificial intelligence (AI). In this case of planetary exploration, machine-learning approach was based on networks of neurons that populate human brain. The computers have learned to identify planets by finding instances of light readings recorded in Kepler data where telescope recorded signals from exoplanets, planets beyond our solar system. . The light readings were tiny changes in brightness captured when a planet passes in front of a star.

Key Facts

With eight planets, Kepler-90 system equals our own solar system in terms of number of planets orbiting single star. Astronomers are yet to detect a system with more than eight planets. Kepler-90 star system is like a mini version of our solar system.
Kepler-90i is outermost and eighth planet in Kepler-90h system. It is roughly the same distance from its star as Earth is from Sun. It orbits its star once every 14.4 days. It is around 30% larger than Earth. It is thought to have an average surface temperature of 425 degrees Celsius.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2017