Comments on: Planet with 5 times Earth’s mass found 25,000 light years away http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:10:01 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: [T]eriyaki_Boi http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10542 [T]eriyaki_Boi Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:06:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10542 Great! We found a planet that is almost earth-like - But how are we gonna get there, its too far away even if we travel at 0.99c (travelling at c is just impossible) it would take us 3562.31 years to get there and even if we can come across that theres still the issue of the long-term affects of a non gravitational environment (calcium depletion is an example). Maybe it might have been an extraordinary discovery but i think we should just stick to planets within our own galaxy for the time being Great! We found a planet that is almost earth-like – But how are we gonna get there, its too far away even if we travel at 0.99c (travelling at c is just impossible) it would take us 3562.31 years to get there and even if we can come across that theres still the issue of the long-term affects of a non gravitational environment (calcium depletion is an example). Maybe it might have been an extraordinary discovery but i think we should just stick to planets within our own galaxy for the time being

]]> By: Anthonares » Blog Archive » Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10541 Anthonares » Blog Archive » Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Wed, 08 Feb 2006 22:19:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10541 [...] Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Tags:Astronomy» ESA» Exoplanet» Gravitational Lensing» Microlensing» OGLE 2005 BLG 390Lb» Research Synopsis» Science» In a press conference this morning, astronomers announced the discovery of a planet with a likely mass of 5.5 times that of the Earth orbiting a red dwarf star some 21,500 light years away. This is not the lowest mass exoplanet discovered thus far, but it is the first one that is both near Earth mass and near Earth orbital distance. I’m sure you’ve all heard the news, but now read on and hear the science (I’ll note that the Bad Astronomer did a science explanation too, but mine has pictures and graphs in it, so it must be better! Okay, also Centauri Dreams has done a summary as well, but again, mine has more pictures and graphs, plus an original analysis in the Context section below.). Also, I made a cool graph of all of the exoplanets we’ve found so far, that’s below too. So, here’s a second bonus published research synopsis in as many weeks: [...] [...] Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Tags:Astronomy» ESA» Exoplanet» Gravitational Lensing» Microlensing» OGLE 2005 BLG 390Lb» Research Synopsis» Science» In a press conference this morning, astronomers announced the discovery of a planet with a likely mass of 5.5 times that of the Earth orbiting a red dwarf star some 21,500 light years away. This is not the lowest mass exoplanet discovered thus far, but it is the first one that is both near Earth mass and near Earth orbital distance. I’m sure you’ve all heard the news, but now read on and hear the science (I’ll note that the Bad Astronomer did a science explanation too, but mine has pictures and graphs in it, so it must be better! Okay, also Centauri Dreams has done a summary as well, but again, mine has more pictures and graphs, plus an original analysis in the Context section below.). Also, I made a cool graph of all of the exoplanets we’ve found so far, that’s below too. So, here’s a second bonus published research synopsis in as many weeks: [...]

]]> By: Anthonares » Blog Archive » Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10540 Anthonares » Blog Archive » Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Wed, 08 Feb 2006 01:51:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10540 [...] Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Astronomy» ESA» Exoplanet» Gravitational Lensing» Microlensing» OGLE 2005 BLG 390Lb» Research Synopsis» Science» In a press conference this morning, astronomers announced the discovery of a planet with a likely mass of 5.5 times that of the Earth orbiting a red dwarf star some 21,500 light years away. This is not the lowest mass exoplanet discovered thus far, but it is the first one that is both near Earth mass and near Earth orbital distance. I’m sure you’ve all heard the news, but now read on and hear the science (I’ll note that the Bad Astronomer did a science explanation too, but mine has pictures and graphs in it, so it must be better! Okay, also Centauri Dreams has done a summary as well, but again, mine has more pictures and graphs, plus an original analysis in the Context section below.). Also, I made a cool graph of all of the exoplanets we’ve found so far, that’s below too. So, here’s a second bonus published research synopsis in as many weeks: [...] [...] Published Research Synopsis: 5.5 Earth Mass Exoplanet Found Astronomy» ESA» Exoplanet» Gravitational Lensing» Microlensing» OGLE 2005 BLG 390Lb» Research Synopsis» Science» In a press conference this morning, astronomers announced the discovery of a planet with a likely mass of 5.5 times that of the Earth orbiting a red dwarf star some 21,500 light years away. This is not the lowest mass exoplanet discovered thus far, but it is the first one that is both near Earth mass and near Earth orbital distance. I’m sure you’ve all heard the news, but now read on and hear the science (I’ll note that the Bad Astronomer did a science explanation too, but mine has pictures and graphs in it, so it must be better! Okay, also Centauri Dreams has done a summary as well, but again, mine has more pictures and graphs, plus an original analysis in the Context section below.). Also, I made a cool graph of all of the exoplanets we’ve found so far, that’s below too. So, here’s a second bonus published research synopsis in as many weeks: [...]

]]> By: Jenny http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10516 Jenny Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:57:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10516 The punability of MOA is enhanced if you know about the now extinct 2m + high flightless birds of that name once native to New Zealand (where the MOA observations are made). Mind you, one of the MOA team was responsible for HERCULES as the acronym title of a high resolution spectrograph. In a follow up to the comments about the NZ coverage of the report, it has been interesting seeing the different angles/author focusses taken by reporters on different continents. Hence the focus on Albrow and Pollard in NZ (and a lesser extent MOA) in NZ, Sackett (Mount Stromlo), the Tasmanians and Perth observatory people in Australia, the British team members in Britain etc. Knowing about 8 of the authors, it has been fun to follow:) The punability of MOA is enhanced if you know about the now extinct 2m + high flightless birds of that name once native to New Zealand (where the MOA observations are made). Mind you, one of the MOA team was responsible for HERCULES as the acronym title of a high resolution spectrograph.
In a follow up to the comments about the NZ coverage of the report, it has been interesting seeing the different angles/author focusses taken by reporters on different continents. Hence the focus on Albrow and Pollard in NZ (and a lesser extent MOA) in NZ, Sackett (Mount Stromlo), the Tasmanians and Perth observatory people in Australia, the British team members in Britain etc. Knowing about 8 of the authors, it has been fun to follow:)

]]> By: icemith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10517 icemith Mon, 06 Feb 2006 02:41:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10517 Oh, I forgot to mention a little something that may interest those astros coming on line. Check the photo of the Sky in Phil's piece- a beautiful shot of the center of our Milky Way. Download the enlarged version. Wonder at that for a wlile. Then at least in Macintosh, the others may also have the facility, try switching to a White-on- Black Presentation, as found in Mac OS 10.4.4 in the System Preferences and found under the Blue Apple. Proceed to Universal Access, open it and click the appropriate radio button. Though it toggles between black and white, it actually is a positive/negative effect, so colors are complementary. Of course you could also use the greyscale button too. There is a wealth of detail not seen in the 'normal' shot. You won't forget to switch back, will you?!! Oh, I forgot to mention a little something that may interest those astros coming on line. Check the photo of the Sky in Phil’s piece- a beautiful shot of the center of our Milky Way. Download the enlarged version. Wonder at that for a wlile. Then at least in Macintosh, the others may also have the facility, try switching to a White-on- Black Presentation, as found in Mac OS 10.4.4 in the System Preferences and found under the Blue Apple. Proceed to Universal Access, open it and click the appropriate radio button. Though it toggles between black and white, it actually is a positive/negative effect, so colors are complementary. Of course you could also use the greyscale button too. There is a wealth of detail not seen in the ‘normal’ shot. You won’t forget to switch back, will you?!!

]]> By: icemith http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10536 icemith Mon, 06 Feb 2006 01:57:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10536 It seems to me that we have an 'Earth' personality complex. Like, just because WE have been reasonably successful at Life, does not mean that there has to be a parallel existence, a clone as you will, out there. True, I reason that there has to be, statistically, Earth-like planets. Some of those may have similar conditions to enable Life to occur, prosper, develop to whatever stage is appropriate, and that may be nothing like we could imagine. Even on Earth there have been many setbacks and re-directions, our own existence was ensured by a certain comet or whatever, that caused a massive clear-out of the entrenched dominant lifeform- bye bye big dinos- and a certain small mammal developed to rule the roost. Some say we are on the verge of RUINing the roost! This latest Earth-like candidate, with a huge slice of conjecture based on a telltale wiggle, seems to give us a sense of personal recognition- hey, we exist out here, 25000 light years out here. What we are contemplating is they existed then, and their mail has only just been delivered! Provided they did exist that is. Just what were OUR ancestors doing 25000 years ago? Learning to deface perfectly fine cave walls, burning dried tree branches and grasses, and wondering just what were those pinholes of light in the sky that won't stay still, and besides who moves them? So, just who are we trying to impress anyway? Those closer to the center of our galaxy, will also have asked that question long ago, being evolved that much earlier than we. What about the galaxies closer to the center of our universe, and those universes..... closer to the BIG BANG? They will be the ones further from us, on the outskirts. They obviously will never hear from us, even if sent priorty paid, but those closer may. Our near neighbour would have to be in the right place at the right time in a suitable mindset and nothing better to do that night. And we will be another 25000 years into the future to boot. Isn't it frustrating? It seems to me that we have an ‘Earth’ personality complex. Like, just because WE have been reasonably successful at Life, does not mean that there has to be a parallel existence, a clone as you will, out there. True, I reason that there has to be, statistically, Earth-like planets. Some of those may have similar conditions to enable Life to occur, prosper, develop to whatever stage is appropriate, and that may be nothing like we could imagine. Even on Earth there have been many setbacks and re-directions, our own existence was ensured by a certain comet or whatever, that caused a massive clear-out of the entrenched dominant lifeform- bye bye big dinos- and a certain small mammal developed to rule the roost. Some say we are on the verge of RUINing the roost!

This latest Earth-like candidate, with a huge slice of conjecture based on a telltale wiggle, seems to give us a sense of personal recognition- hey, we exist out here, 25000 light years out here. What we are contemplating is they existed then, and their mail has only just been delivered! Provided they did exist that is. Just what were OUR ancestors doing 25000 years ago? Learning to deface perfectly fine cave walls, burning dried tree branches and grasses, and wondering just what were those pinholes of light in the sky that won’t stay still, and besides who moves them?

So, just who are we trying to impress anyway? Those closer to the center of our galaxy, will also have asked that question long ago, being evolved that much earlier than we. What about the galaxies closer to the center of our universe, and those universes….. closer to the BIG BANG?

They will be the ones further from us, on the outskirts. They obviously will never hear from us, even if sent priorty paid, but those closer may. Our near neighbour would have to be in the right place at the right time in a suitable mindset and nothing better to do that night. And we will be another 25000 years into the future to boot. Isn’t it frustrating?

]]> By: Eric Nagengast http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/comment-page-1/#comment-10539 Eric Nagengast Wed, 01 Feb 2006 21:45:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2006/01/25/planet-with-5-times-earths-mass-found-25000-light-years-away/#comment-10539 Certainly, with the great magnitude of the universe, a planet similar to earth must exist. It is only a matter of time until such a planet is found, and new life forms are discovered. A discovery like this will be a huge scientific breakthrough. The thought of other galaxies and other forms of life is very interesting, but what is equally if not more interesting is how scientists are finding these planets. Gravitational lensing is a very complicated method, but thanks to Einstein's theory of general relativity this method has been very useful. This method involves the bending of light by large masses in space. This occurance hints at a bend in the third dimension and the large scale effects of gravity. Certainly, with the great magnitude of the universe, a planet similar to earth must exist. It is only a matter of time until such a planet is found, and new life forms are discovered. A discovery like this will be a huge scientific breakthrough. The thought of other galaxies and other forms of life is very interesting, but what is equally if not more interesting is how scientists are finding these planets. Gravitational lensing is a very complicated method, but thanks to Einstein’s theory of general relativity this method has been very useful. This method involves the bending of light by large masses in space. This occurance hints at a bend in the third dimension and the large scale effects of gravity.

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