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European astronomers get their first chance to detect rocky planets around other worlds

28 February 2002

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Artist's view of a rocky, Earth-like exoplanet

This artist’s impression shows the surface of a possible exoplanet placed at exactly the right distance from its parent star for liquid water to exist on its surface.

Credits: ESA. Illustration by Medialab

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Corot (COnvection ROtation and planetary Transits) is a mission led by the French National Space Agency, CNES. It is a 30-centimetre diameter space telescope designed to detect tiny changes in brightness from nearby stars. Launch is scheduled in 2005 from Russia. ESA joined the mission in October 2000 by agreeing to provide the optics for the telescope and test the payload at its European Space Research and Technology Centre in the Netherlands. As a result of the collaboration, scientists from ESA's Member States will be given access to the satellite's data.

Credits: CNES/Active Design

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