Supercomputer simulations of dusty disks around sun-like stars show that planets nearly as small as Mars can create patterns that future telescopes may be able to detect. The research points to a new avenue in the search for habitable planets. "It may be a while before we can directly image earth-like planets around other stars but, before then, we'll be able to detect the ornate and beautiful rings they carve in interplanetary dust," says Christopher Stark, the study's lead researcher. (source: nasa.gov)
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