Kepler telescope

After nine years in deep space collecting data that indicates our sky is filled with billions of hidden planets, NASA's Kepler Space Telescope has run out of fuel. On Oct. 30, 2018, NASA announced the retirement of the spacecraft.

Science

After Nine Years In Orbit, Kepler Telescope Leaves A Legacy Of Discovery

5:11pm November 04, 2018

NASA's Charlie Sobeck, former manager of the Kepler Space Telescope mission, discusses the monumental findings of the spacecraft and NASA's decision to retire it in orbit.

Queue Listen Now

This artist's concept depicts some of the planetary discoveries made by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope. Tuesday's announcement more than doubles the number of verified planets discovered by the Kepler mission.

NASA Spots 1,284 New Planets, Including 9 That Are 'Potentially Habitable'

6:39pm May 10, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Of the more than 1,200 planets in the latest trove turned up by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, about half seem to be rocky, like Earth.

Queue Listen Now

Columbia University astronomer David Kipping is extending the search for other planets — and their moons — to the extreme range of our detection abilities.

Hot On The Trail Of Alien Moons

8:55am April 13, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Astronomers have found about 2,000 planets beyond our solar system. Now, some scientists are expanding the search to look for distant moons, too, in the hunt for signs of life.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Once Written Off, Kepler Telescope Finds New Planet

8:05pm December 18, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The Kepler space telescope, which cost some $600 million, was feared to be at the end of its useful life in 2013. But NASA says it just found another exoplanet.