• Question: Do you think there will be many more elements discovered in our solar system? What about other exoplanets?

    Asked by Callum B to Anne, Beth, COLFlight on 15 Oct 2015.
    • Photo: Beth Healey

      Beth Healey answered on 15 Oct 2015:

      Hi Callum B,

      Perhaps! This is one of the great things about Space and research, there is still so much to explore and find out!

      What would you name an exoplanet if you found one?

    • Photo: Columbus Flight Directors

      Columbus Flight Directors answered on 15 Oct 2015:

      Simon: Hi Callum B! Good question!

      Unless the laws of physics and chemistry are different in other parts of the universe, it is safe to say that all naturally forming elements have already been discovered.

      As for exoplanets: with space telescopes like Kepler we have only discovered the tip of the iceberg! If there are a billion stars in our Galaxy then there are probably several billion exoplanets! So far we have only discover a few thousand.

      Most exoplanets have unimaginative names like: Kepler 1734T. So Beth has asked a great question. What name would you give to a new exoplanet?

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