New Planet Discovered, Chance of Sustaining Life
We may not be alone.
The most enticing property yet found outside our solar system is about 20 light-years away in the constellation Libra, a team of European astronomers said yesterday.
The astronomers have discovered a planet five times as massive as the Earth orbiting a dim red star known as Gliese 581.
It is the smallest of the 200 or so planets that are known to exist outside of our solar system, the extrasolar or exo-planets. It orbits its home star within the so-called habitable zone where surface water, the staff of life, could exist if other conditions are right, said Stephane Udry of the Geneva Observatory.
Mari hopes to hear more on this story soon. How exciting! And dorky, no? XD
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26 April 2007, 00:34
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Mmm, I heard that on Nightline last night, but was unfortunately too mentally incapacitated due to lack of sleep to comprehend most of it. While it’s all very exciting and all, it’s too bad that (if the conditions there turn out right), we can’t exactly just ship half the earth over.
I was beyond thrilled when I heard about this! I was practically raised by X-Files, Star trek, Star Wars etc. and I have the dorkiest alien hunter brother ever. So yes, I’m a dork, and I hope they will find at least some forms of living creatures there:)
The truth is out there!
Yeah, I heard that yesterday whilst I was watching the news. It’s pretty cool - I’d love to know how they see these things when they’re 180,000,000,000,000 miles away! It’s an amazing feat of science.
I heard too on news but here in Montreal they said it was a swiss ( written like that ? From Switzerland ) that discovered it from an observatory somewhere I don’t remember.
Another planet that potentially have life that’s great to hear, but the thing is, if there is life ( and there is for sure ) have they discovered us ? Maybe … Roswell :O
That is really neat o: I’m not sure what else to say, but I am totally going to look into this.
oh duuuuudeeee i heard about this on the news yesterday! i’m super excited about it. haha i’m a geek.
@Amanda
This is the first time Mari has heard of something like this getting from the blogosphere to the mainstream media that fast.
@Kaisa
W00t for all those awesome nerdy/geeky shows. Mari has watched them since she could barely stand up. =D
If they found living creatures, that’d be super cool. Beyond cool.
@Leila
Thanks for the heads-up, and I’ve deleted your comment since it doesn’t pertain to the topic.
@Evie
Vewy, vewy cawefuwwy. Sorry, couldn’t resist. XD But in all seriousness, if they were to knock the telescope over even .5 of a degree they would miss it.
@Jonathan
Last time Mari checked Geneva was in Switzerland… Heh, silly Jonathan.
Maybe Roswell. You never know. =D
@Tammi
Mari too. She’s been researching all night before she wrote this post. (Just didn’t post any of the research. XD)
@Ashley
But Mari thought geeks could spell. Kidding, kidding. It’s so cool, though, you know? Mari is totally psyched too.
Dorky is amazing! Its kind of funny to me that they decided Pluto isn’t a planet and discovered this new little planet all in one year. =)
it’s pretty awesome that they found another planet. especially that it’s sustainable. i’m going to read more about it now…
@Brit
Actually, uh, just so you know it’s not in our solar system…
@Superstealthy
Isn’t it? =D
wow thats super cool! =) I love astronomy so much! this type of news fascinate me and catches my interest! thats really cool, its amazing how far away we are, 20 years that hard to imagine