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The artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the greyThis image from NASA's Kepler mission shows a portion of the telescope's full field of view. Image credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-CaltechMore than three-quarters of the planet candidates discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft have sizes ranging from that of Earth to that of Neptune, which is nearly four times as big as Earth. Such planets dominate the galactic census but are not representeThe diagram compares the planets of the inner solar system to Kepler-62, a five-planet system about 1,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. Image credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech
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The artistic impression shows Kepler operating in a new mission profile called K2. Kepler is observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the Sun (grey-blue line marked by opaque cross-like shapes). Credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T PyleNASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T Pyle
This image from NASA's Kepler mission shows a portion of the telescope's full field of view. Image credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-CaltechNASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech
More than three-quarters of the planet candidates discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft have sizes ranging from that of Earth to that of Neptune, which is nearly four times as big as Earth. Such planets dominate the galactic census but are not represented in our own solar system. Image Credit: NASA Ames/W Stenzel NASA Ames/W Stenzel
The diagram compares the planets of the inner solar system to Kepler-62, a five-planet system about 1,200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. Image credit: NASA Ames/JPL-CaltechNASA Ames/JPL-Caltech
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Mission name: Kepler

Kepler and K2

Kepler data is used to search for Earth-sized planets around distant stars.

Mission news and discoveries
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
What Would Happen if the Solar System had a Super-Earth?March 21, 2023
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Virtual Planetary Lab and Its Search for What Makes an Exoplanet Habitable, or Even InhabitedSeptember 23, 2022
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Search For Life: Are We Alone?June 21, 2022
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Cosmic Milestone: NASA Confirms 5,000 ExoplanetsMarch 21, 2022
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Why Does Our Solar System Have No Super-Earths, and Other Questions for Comparative PlanetologyDecember 03, 2021
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Natalie Batalha named as the UC Santa Cruz Presidential ChairJune 30, 2021
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA’s Search for Life: Astrobiology in the Solar System and BeyondJune 25, 2021
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Planetary Sleuthing Finds Triple-Star WorldJanuary 12, 2021
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
About Half of Sun-Like Stars Could Host Rocky, Potentially Habitable PlanetsOctober 29, 2020
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
How Many Habitable Zone Planets Can Orbit a Host Star?August 11, 2020
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Composition of Super-EarthsMarch 02, 2020
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA Planet Hunter Finds Earth-Size Habitable-Zone WorldJanuary 07, 2020
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Using Climate Science on Earth to Understand Planets Beyond EarthJanuary 03, 2020
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Apply for "The PI Launchpad: From Science Idea to NASA Mission"September 25, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
ExoClimes V Presentations Now Available On-Demand!September 09, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Superflares from a Solar-Type StarAugust 06, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NExSS 2.0May 13, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Tricky Business of Finding ExocometsMay 07, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Forming the Kepler-36 SystemApril 25, 2019
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Searching for Life in the Great BeyondNovember 27, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
A Planet Near the Gap Between Super-Earths and Sub-NeptunesNovember 19, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Kepler Space Telescope Mission Is Ending But Its Legacy Will Keep Growing.November 07, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA Retires Kepler Space Telescope, Passes Planet-Hunting TorchOctober 31, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Exoplanet Science StrategySeptember 21, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Habitability of Water WorldsSeptember 04, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Small Planets around a Bright Young Field StarAugust 16, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Architecture of Solar SystemsJuly 13, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Exoplanet Science Flying HighJuly 09, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Know Thy Star, Know Thy PlanetMay 23, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
TESS: NASA's Next Planet Hunter Takes to the SkyApril 18, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
The Just-Approved European ARIEL Mission Will Be First Dedicated to Probing Exoplanet AtmospheresApril 02, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
New Clues to Compositions of TRAPPIST-1 PlanetsFebruary 06, 2018
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Mars and Earth May Not Have Been Early NeighborsDecember 22, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Artificial Intelligence Has Just Found Two Exoplanets: What Does This Mean For Planet Hunting?December 20, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Atmospheric Beacons of Life from Exoplanets Around G and K StarsDecember 05, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Furthering the Hunt for Habitable Planets with StatisticsSeptember 22, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Kepler Has Taught Us That Rocky Planets Are CommonJuly 03, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Kepler & K2 Science Conference (June 19-23, 2017)June 19, 2017
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Could Earth’s light blue color be a signature of life?May 06, 2016
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA’s Kepler Marks 1,000th Exoplanet Discovery, Uncovers More Small Worlds in Habitable Zones January 06, 2016
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA’s Kepler Mission Discovers Bigger, Older Cousin to EarthJuly 22, 2015
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
Borucki Awarded 2015 Shaw PrizeJune 04, 2015
This artistic impression shows NASA's planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. In May the spacecraft began its new mission observing in the ecliptic plane, the orbital path of Earth around the sun, depicted by the gre
NASA’s NExSS Coalition to Lead Search for Life on Distant WorldsApril 24, 2015