With the discovery of a fifth planet circling the nearby star 55 Cancri, astronomers have found the richest—and heaviest—planetary system beyond the sun’s.
PLANETARY MENAGERIE. Artist’s depiction of four of the five planets known to orbit the nearby star 55 Cancri. The recently discovered fifth planet looms largest. The star’s three innermost planets are seen in the background.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.