Kepler space telescope data uncovers 715 new planets

New technique allows scientists to quickly confirm exoplanet detections

DIVERSIFIED  Planets newly confirmed by the Kepler space telescope (orange) substantially increase the total number of planets known outside our solar system. Most of these new worlds are smaller than Neptune, whereas previously (blue), Jupiter-like planets dominated the landscape.

W. Stenzel/NASA Ames

The galaxy just got more crowded.