On November 15, 2018, NASA sent the so-called ‘goodnight’ commands to the Kepler telescope. These final instructions were sent to end communications between Earth and the craft which ran out of fuel on October 30, 2018.

The Kepler telescope has brought over 2,600 planets to light since she was launched on March 6, 2009. Her contribution to science and mapping of our galactic neighborhood cannot be understated. In a statement that sounds almost more science fiction than science fact, NASA reports “Kepler finds there are more planets than stars in the galaxy.”

To get an idea of the magnitude of the discovery of solar systems, just check out the video below.  Each system is in the same proportions as our own solar system. Get ready to be wowed.

For more information on the shutdown, check out Nasa’s JPL page:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=7284

For further information on Kepler:
https://www.nasa.gov/kepler