Researchers discover earth-like planet

MTK · 06-14-2005, 10:09 AM

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1629641.html

Researchers announced Monday that they have discovered a planet that may be Earth-like orbiting a star that’s nearby, at least in cosmic terms.

The announcement was made at the National Science Foundation outside of Washington, D.C.

The planet's estimated radius is about twice that of Earth's.

It orbits the star Gliese 876, located 15 light years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Aquarius.

"This is the smallest extra-solar planet yet detected and the first of a new class of rocky terrestrial planets," said team member Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "It's like Earth's bigger cousin."

The planet is too hot for life, as we know it however.

The surface temperature on the planet is estimated at between 400 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit.

"We keep pushing the limits of what we can detect, and we're getting closer and closer to finding Earths," said team member Steven Vogt, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

BrudLee · 06-14-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1629641.html

The planet is too hot for life, as we know it however.

The surface temperature on the planet is estimated at between 400 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit.

That doesn't sound very earth-like to me.

The upside to those temps? No humidity.

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-14-2005, 10:28 AM

A steam bath when you walk outside. Yahooo.

RedskinRat · 06-14-2005, 11:48 AM

So much for "It's a dry heat".

Riggo44 · 06-14-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

So much for "It's a dry heat".

No doubt. And I thought Vegas got too hot! :FIREdevil

JWsleep · 06-14-2005, 02:47 PM

Given that life developed along very hot undersea volcanic vents, wonder why this planet is definetly too hot? Maybe life can get going in all kinds of conditions, including this sort of pleasant dry heat?

RedskinRat · 06-14-2005, 03:15 PM

Life as we know it, Jim. I think that's the key here. What if everyone there looks like an oven ready turkey? They may become the other other other white meat.

JWsleep · 06-14-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedskinRat

Life as we know it, Jim. I think that's the key here. What if everyone there looks like an oven ready turkey? They may become the other other other white meat.

I'm a doctor, not a xenobiologist, damn it!

RedskinRat · 06-14-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWsleep

I'm a doctor, not a xenobiologist, damn it!

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-14-2005, 03:28 PM

Right. I mean just because this is how HUMANS were created, doesn't mean that life isn't even more complicated on other planets allowing life under extreme circumstances.

NY_Skinsfan · 06-14-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Right. I mean just because this is how HUMANS were created, doesn't mean that life isn't even more complicated on other planets allowing life under extreme circumstances.

Who's to say that aliens aren't looking at our planet thinking it's too cold for life to exit....you never know.

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-15-2005, 07:38 AM

Exactly what I'm saying. And what's even weirder is that judging my how long it takes for light to reach our planet or theirs, they would most likely be seeing dinosaurs.

JoeRedskin · 06-15-2005, 08:04 AM

Wow... we are really deep into the offseason aren't we?

SmootSmack · 06-15-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Exactly what I'm saying. And what's even weirder is that judging my how long it takes for light to reach our planet or theirs, they would most likely be seeing dinosaurs.

Exactly, who's to say that millions of years ago some other planet wasn't trying to communicate with us. The chances of two (or more) planets with life being at the same level of intelligence and capacity to communicate is extremely remote

TheMalcolmConnection · 06-15-2005, 08:14 AM

Yes. And for some reason I'm interested in nerdy things like this.. :P

06-14-2005, 10:09 AM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,833	Researchers discover earth-like planet http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/1629641.html Researchers announced Monday that they have discovered a planet that may be Earth-like orbiting a star that’s nearby, at least in cosmic terms. The announcement was made at the National Science Foundation outside of Washington, D.C. The planet's estimated radius is about twice that of Earth's. It orbits the star Gliese 876, located 15 light years away from Earth in the direction of the constellation Aquarius. "This is the smallest extra-solar planet yet detected and the first of a new class of rocky terrestrial planets," said team member Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. "It's like Earth's bigger cousin." The planet is too hot for life, as we know it however. The surface temperature on the planet is estimated at between 400 and 750 degrees Fahrenheit. "We keep pushing the limits of what we can detect, and we're getting closer and closer to finding Earths," said team member Steven Vogt, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

06-14-2005, 10:28 AM	#3
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 44 Posts: 19,264	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet A steam bath when you walk outside. Yahooo. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

06-14-2005, 11:48 AM	#4
RedskinRat Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: I'm in LA, trick! Posts: 8,700	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet So much for "It's a dry heat".

06-14-2005, 02:47 PM	#6
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 56 Posts: 4,719	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Given that life developed along very hot undersea volcanic vents, wonder why this planet is definetly too hot? Maybe life can get going in all kinds of conditions, including this sort of pleasant dry heat? __________________ Hail from Houston!

06-14-2005, 03:15 PM	#7
RedskinRat Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: I'm in LA, trick! Posts: 8,700	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Life as we know it, Jim. I think that's the key here. What if everyone there looks like an oven ready turkey? They may become the other other other white meat.

06-14-2005, 03:28 PM	#10
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 44 Posts: 19,264	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Right. I mean just because this is how HUMANS were created, doesn't mean that life isn't even more complicated on other planets allowing life under extreme circumstances. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

06-15-2005, 07:38 AM	#12
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 44 Posts: 19,264	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Exactly what I'm saying. And what's even weirder is that judging my how long it takes for light to reach our planet or theirs, they would most likely be seeing dinosaurs. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

06-15-2005, 08:04 AM	#13
JoeRedskin Contains football related knowledge Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Second Star On The Right Age: 62 Posts: 10,401	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Wow... we are really deep into the offseason aren't we?

06-15-2005, 08:14 AM	#15
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 44 Posts: 19,264	Re: Researchers discover earth-like planet Yes. And for some reason I'm interested in nerdy things like this.. :P __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

Researchers discover earth-like planet

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