Transit of Earth-like planet eludes astronomers
No hope for better measurement of Gliese 581c.
Astronomers who had been anxiously keeping an eye on the dwarf star Gliese 581, in hopes of observing an Earth-like planet pass in front of it, have been met with disappointment so far. The star's light, as viewed by the Canadian Space Agency's MOST space satellite, has been remarkably constant - meaning the recently spotted planet 581c has not passed between the star and Earth. Data collected from such a pass would have allowed a precise determination of the planet's size and composition.
