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New 'super-Earth' found in space [planet found]
BBC News ^ | Wednesday, 25 April 2007 | BBC News

Posted on 04/25/2007 3:07:03 AM PDT by FostersExport

Astronomers have found the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System to date, a world which could have water running on its surface. The planet orbits the faint star Gliese 581, which is 20.5 light-years away in the constellation Libra.

Scientists made the discovery using the Eso 3.6m Telescope in Chile.

They say the benign temperatures on the planet mean any water there could exist in liquid form, and this raises the chances it could also harbour life.

"We have estimated that the mean temperature of this 'super-Earth' lies between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius, and water would thus be liquid," explained Stephane Udry of the Geneva Observatory, lead author of the scientific paper reporting the result.

"Moreover, its radius should be only 1.5 times the Earth's radius, and models predict that the planet should be either rocky - like our Earth - or covered with oceans."

Xavier Delfosse, a member of the team from Grenoble University, added: "Liquid water is critical to life as we know it."

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: astronomy; exoplanet; exoplanets; gliese581; planet; science; space; xplanet; xplanets
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To: BluH2o

“Starbucks and a McDonalds soon to follow.”

Considering the planet weighs 1.5 times that of Earth, I think we can assume McDonald’s has already set up shop...


41 posted on 04/25/2007 5:36:30 AM PDT by Wyatt's Torch (I can explain it to you. I can't understand it for you.)
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To: corlorde

How could we have failed? As the all-powerful creator, isn’t everything that happens, all part of God’s plan? Doesn’t God know if/when Armageddon will happen? Wouldn’t it also be part of His plan?


42 posted on 04/25/2007 5:44:12 AM PDT by stuartcr (Everything happens as God wants it to.....otherwise, things would be different.)
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To: Wyatt's Torch
When we eventually go there we will be seen as the invading aliens that had to abandon their home planet as all the resources had been used and the ground, water and atmosphere were full of toxic waste. Isn't that how we've always seen it coming?
43 posted on 04/25/2007 6:07:23 AM PDT by freebird5850
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To: Silly
Running water? Does this mean indoor plumbing? What are their building codes like? How about their public schools?

The world is wondering.

LOL.... post of the week!

44 posted on 04/25/2007 6:09:28 AM PDT by kjam22 (see me play the guitar here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noHy7Cuoucc)
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To: corlorde

Please go somewhere else with your....


45 posted on 04/25/2007 6:11:49 AM PDT by owhl
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To: corlorde
Since we have failed, God is probably starting over, since we are on the brink of Armageddon.

Uh huh.

Thanks for sharing.

46 posted on 04/25/2007 6:13:08 AM PDT by Wormwood (Future Former Freeper)
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To: FostersExport
They say the benign temperatures on the planet mean any water there could exist in liquid form, and this raises the chances it could also harbour life.

Wow, that a ‘discovery’. Sounds like a lot of speculating going on based on looking through a telescope.

47 posted on 04/25/2007 6:16:33 AM PDT by Lurking in Kansas (Nothing witty here... move on.)
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To: FostersExport

Send Algore as an ambassador.


48 posted on 04/25/2007 6:23:27 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: Eye of Unk

why do u hope it cheeses off exxon?


49 posted on 04/25/2007 6:28:25 AM PDT by Irishguy (How do ya LIKE THOSE APPLES!!!!)
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

How exciting!


50 posted on 04/25/2007 6:30:43 AM PDT by AxelPaulsenJr (Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.)
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To: Sybeck1
We have a remarkable planet here in our girl Earth. No need to go elsewhere.

I have read some interesting papers about how we will eventually need to go elsewhere unless we want to die out here. But that time is far in the future.

51 posted on 04/25/2007 6:32:55 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
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To: FostersExport
Ok, nevermind. I had the search set to Title (Score) rather than Title (Date).

Yup, search, (the right setting), is your friend.

52 posted on 04/25/2007 6:34:32 AM PDT by AxelPaulsenJr (Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.)
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To: Wormwood; owhl; stuartcr

Okay.

1. I’m not going anywhere.
2. I should have put a /sarc after my post.

Have a good one.


53 posted on 04/25/2007 7:09:03 AM PDT by corlorde (New Hampshire)
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To: FostersExport

Fascinating stuff.


54 posted on 04/25/2007 7:12:31 AM PDT by diamond6 (Everyone who is for abortion has been born. Ronald Reagan)
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To: FostersExport

If they have liquid water - and indoor plumbing - we should send Sheryl Crow to tell them how much toilet paper to use.

Or the New York Times - which makes excellent toilet paper with the additional asset of - you can use as much as you want.


55 posted on 04/25/2007 7:16:26 AM PDT by Basheva
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Any problems or issues that develop over there, all the Dems have to do is throw some space bucks at it.


56 posted on 04/25/2007 7:40:20 AM PDT by stbdside
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To: C210N

The big question about these far-away planets: Does it appear to be cooling or warming. Perhaps aiming our radioscopes and telescopes at them may be inducing warming there.

Hmmm...

Warming up?? Al Gore and Cheryl Crowe will have to go and tell them that American’s are WARMING their planet - and Cheryl will tell them to use 1 square sheet!!


57 posted on 04/25/2007 10:13:39 AM PDT by EagleandLiberty (AirAmerica -- a whole owned company of CP USA)
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To: antiRepublicrat

Need to invent warp engines before the Klingons find us!!!


58 posted on 04/25/2007 11:50:29 AM PDT by ItsTheMediaStupid
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To: EagleandLiberty
and Cheryl will tell them to use 1 square sheet!!

Would one square sheet be the same there? By the time you send it there faster than the speed of light wouldn't it get longer? Or does it shrink, I can never remember which.

59 posted on 04/25/2007 11:52:33 AM PDT by ItsTheMediaStupid
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To: Jedi Master Pikachu

The surface gravity of a planet with density rho and radius r is given by
g_earth * rho/rho_earth * r/r_earth.

This is because g = G*M/r^2, and M = 4pi/3 * rho * r^3 .


60 posted on 04/25/2007 3:49:02 PM PDT by dr_lew
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