研究人員從開普勒太空望遠鏡（Kepler Space Telescope）以前蒐集的大量數據中發現了這四顆特別的行星。這個望遠鏡於2018年10月30日最後一次和地面通訊後結束任務，已經退役。
銀河系中心突起的區域聚集了大量的塵埃、氣體和恆星，是一個難以觀測的區域。克卜勒望遠鏡則不斷掃描這個區域，蒐集一種微透鏡現象信號探索這個區域。各種不會發光的天體、行星，通過這種信號都可以發現它們的蹤跡。
研究人員從數據中發現這四顆行星的信號，與地球差不多大小的行星發出的信號一致，由此推測出這四顆行星的體積。
這份研究的負責人英國曼徹斯特大學（The University of Manchester）的天文學家麥克唐納（Iain McDonald）說：「這些信號極其難以追蹤。這就像用一部老舊的、有些毛病的望遠鏡對著銀河系中心那個擁擠的、模糊的區域進行觀測，那裡不僅有
Firefly vs. Lightning Bug: Is There a Difference Between the Two?
Turns out the two terms are the result of regional differences. NobythaiGetty Images
When you see a flashing insect in your backyard, do you call it a firefly or a lightning bug? And have you ever wondered if those names refer to two different insects?
Despite their unique names, lightning bugs and fireflies are actually the exact same thing: a family of flying beetles that communicate through bioluminescent flashes. However, there is a reason for the differing terms and it all comes down to where you live.
Are fireflies different from lightning bugs?
Firefly Research receives NASA SBIR award for solar electric space utility vehicle 2 min read
Firefly Aerospace Inc., a U.S. developer of orbital launch vehicles for the small to medium satellite market owned by Ukrainian businessman Maksym Polyakov, has received the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) award from NASA to develop a solar electric transfer stage capable of taking payloads from the Earth to the moon – the Space Utility Vehicle (SUV).
The new SUV will be able to deliver payloads into orbits that are difficult to reach with conventional rockets, the company s press service said on Thursday.
The Firefly Aerospace s SUV will become a link between the Firefly Alpha launch vehicle and the Blue Ghost lunar module, thus creating a complete payload delivery chain from Earth to the lunar surface for NASA missions.
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