New Planets

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We have been scouting out new planets for a few years now. First we started measuring a sun's 'wobble' to infer the mass and distance of it's planet(s). Before now we've never actually gotten a clear, direct image of an extra-solar planet.

I imagine that we'll (the we that is the Earthly Scientific Community) make more complex and exciting discoveries more frequently.

The BBC has a nice cache of these discoveries.

Imaged extra-solar planet

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45019000/jpg/_45019637_star_gemini_226.jpg

Location: in Scorpius Association
Mass: 8 Jupiters
Sun Type: sol-like, but younger
Distance from it's sun: WAY out there
Surface Temp: 1,500C
Distance from us: 500 light-years

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7617031.stm

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@littlek,

Extra-solar planets with water vapor present in atmosphere....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6292076.stm

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@littlek,

Earth-like planets
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6589157.stm

0 Replies

Holy cow. Think extra-solar system life will be found in our lifetimes?

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@jespah,

That would be cool! But, I don't think I could speculate on the likelihood.

0 Replies

I love astronomy

David

0 Replies

@jespah,

Quote:

Think extra-solar system life will be found in our lifetimes?

The universe is probably teaming with life.

Most likely we will not see any of it in our lifetimes.

If it shows up here:
that 's not a good thing.
Remember what happened to the Indians
after Columbus arrived.

1 Reply

@OmSigDAVID,

Good point. And what happened here when the hypothetical comet arrived bringing seeds of life - if that's how it all began, it changed everything for ever.

1 Reply

@littlek,

Well, I'm thinking of alien bacteria or the like. I think finding that -- a cell on another world -- I think that would change our world. And I don't mean in an Andromeda Strain kind of way, more that it would really inspire people,, to know that we're not alone out there. I don't expect little green men, but a microscopic something on Europa or some place like that? That would be astounding.

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littlek: really cool picture. thanks for posting. Smile

jespah: finding extraterrestrial life would sound the death knell for biblical literalism i think, which would be a good thing as far as i'm concerned.

New Planets

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