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3 February 2011

e2v imaging sensors enable NASA’s Kepler to discover new planets

More than 1,000 new planets have been discovered by Nasa’s Kepler mission using 42 e2v image sensors within a 95 Megapixel camera. The breakthrough includes 6 new planets in close orbit to a sun 2000 light years away. The greater than expected performance of the system is radically changing scientist’s view of the number of planetary systems in the universe and the likelihood of finding a planet similar to our own. And with the fast pace of discoveries we can expect much more in the months and years to come.

e2v's Jon Kemp was interviewed for the BBC's 6'oclock News last night.  Please click here to read the BBC article on Kepler's new discoveries and here to read the NASA one.

View the BBC online video direct by clicking here.

The focal plane of Kepler with 42 e2v CCDs

Image courtesy of Ball Aerospace & Technoologies Corp.