Keele (UK) - University of Keele scientists have reported finding three new extrasolar planets in a star system 850 light years away, bringing the total count of known extrasolar planets to approximately 225, according to Princeston University data.  All three planets are roughly the size of Jupiter, and are in a much closer and very tight orbit.  They complete one full orbit once every two days.  It is estimated that the surface temperature is approximately 2000C, making them unlikely to host life.  So far, all of the discovered extrasolar planets are enormous planets, roughly the size of Jupiter or even much larger.  This is for obvious reasons, the larger ones are easier to see.

Two of the new planets are in a constellation called Phoenix, which is visible only from the Southern hemisphere.  The third planet is visible from the Northern hemisphere, in the constellation Lyra.  All three orbit suns which are similar to our own in size, light and heat.  All three require at least a small telescope to be seen, as they are invisible to the naked eye.  A report from U.C. Berkeley was also published yesterday about a solar system where five planets have now been discovered.

Read more ... Keele University.