Posted on 08/25/2004 3:27:13 PM PDT by swilhelm73
They're surprised they found something? Or they're surprised it exists? ;-)
It's a super-Mercury, instead of a super Earth.
Surprised it exists.
A terrestrial planet with 14 times the mass of the Earth that orbits in ten days is rather unexpected...
Fantastic! In the next twenty years, they will be discovering *thousands* of planets orbiting thousands of stars.
Well the odds are almost nil we'd ever find an Earth sized planet with a good distance from it's sun.
Intersting find. I imagine the "cool" side might have a chance to develop life if there's no rotation.
"It completes its tight orbit in less than 10 days"
So, winter would only last 2 1/2 days?
I wonder if that's what those on other planets may be saying. Out of trillions of star systems, I am confident they'll eventually find life on a planet similar to earth, at about one astronomical unit out. Besides, in the right conditions, life could be sustained on a planet many times further out from a star than our own earth is.
If the planet is tilted on it's axis like the Earth. :-)
IMHO this is hardy a "Super Earth". After reading the description of this planet I'd guess that there are only about 5 things that these two have in common.
As another poster said, "Super Mercury"
Well, if it's not tilted, we'll have to figure out a way to do so. Also, what is the rotation speed? Can't have it spinning like a top, trying to cram 365 sunsets into its 10-day year. I'd say slow it down to 20, 30 days maximum.
Plus, at 14 times the size of earth, gravity would be a bitch. I wouldn't even want to get out of bed in the morning!
You forgot the "with bone crunching gravity."
I could live with that; however I would want a bigger air conditioner for summer. LOL I'm too spoiled. :-)
As the article said...there isn't any morning on this supposed "Super Earth".
Told you there was something up with the Stars the other nite!
Typical August weather in Houston.
The Stars were Twinkling like Christmas Lights on Tuesday over the Western Skies!
Maybe in holes at the poles...
Kewl, elections every forty days.
No,I couldn't take that!
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