[ruiner]

Precisely. They detect these planets by looking at the gravitational 'tug' it places on the star as it orbits. The bigger the planet, the more noticeable the tug.

I can't believe they'd actually write an article like this. According to my eyesite, there are no other people on planet earth farther than 1 mile from me at all times, even less at night!

[norwaypinesavage]

"I can't believe they'd actually write an article like this."

Look at the source, Reuters. The combined IQ of all the Reuters reporters added together would get smaller, when squared.

[Rich_E]

This article is extremely disingenuous. Currently the planets are detected by observing the "wobble" on the star created when the planet orbits. How much of a wobble would a planet in Jupiter's orbit have with a 12 year orbit? You would have to observe the star for at least 12 years to see a wobble.