Planet
Found With Comet-like Tail
Comet-like planets could be fairly common,
expert says.
Published July 15, 2010
An alien planet orbits so close to its star
that its atmosphere is being blasted away,
forming a gaseous, comet-like tail,
astronomers announced Thursday.
About 153 light-years from Earth, planet HD
209458b hugs its star so tightly that the
planet's atmosphere is likely a scorching
2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees
Celsius) an a year passes in just 3.5
days—making Mercury's 88-day orbit seem
downright leisurely.
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