Distant planet with iron raindrops found (clouds and fog made of molten iron)

CNN ^

[spetznaz]

SEATTLE (AP) -- Using a new technique that will be used to search for Earthlike planets, astronomers have found a distant extrasolar planet, a bizarre place of torrid heat, with clouds and raindrops made of iron.

A team from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics found the planet orbiting a star 5,000 light years away by detecting the slight dimming of light caused as the planet moved between the star and telescopes on Earth.

The sophisticated technique was compared to spotting the shadow cast by a mosquito flying in front of a searchlight two hundred miles away.

Because it is so close to its star, the new planet is thought to have an atmospheric temperature of about 3,100 degrees F, enough to vaporize most metals.

"This is the hottest planet that we know about," said Sasselov. "It is hot enough to have an iron fog and to rain hot iron droplets."

He said the new planet would be a place of violence, with a powerful jet stream whipping the clouds and loosing showers of molten iron.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Could be.

[Redcloak]

Sounds like the Tholian homeworld.

[Darksheare]

The Universe is indeed a strange and disturbing place.

[concerned about politics]

Al Gore adds: The planet had previously hosted a vibrant civilization, but unfortunately they couldn't end their love affair with their SUVs.

A new report from the government says raw eggs may contain salmonella and may be unsafe. In fact, the latest government report says it wasn't the fall that killed Humpty Dumpty - he was dead before he hit the ground.

[spetznaz]

I have never myself been to Detroit. I never knew it was a hot place ( is it hotter that Arizona or Oklahoma during summer)?

[concerned about politics]

And in other news. 3000 leading environmental scientists project that if Kyoto isn't implemented and republicans booted out of office the earth will look like this is 3-6 months

Why, the pollution is so bad that when I put air in my tires, two of them died!

[smokinleroy]

...found the planet orbiting a star 5,000 light years away by detecting the slight dimming of light caused as the planet moved between the star and telescopes on Earth.

Maybe a mosquito moved between the star and the telescopes!

[Williams]

Facinating thing to me in the article is they have already found more than 100 planets around other stars. I grew up in a world (Earth) where they constantly debated whether ANY other stars had planets, and there were all kinds of theories about why it might be such a rare occurence.

There must be many thousands or millions of planets just in our galaxy. Imagine all the exploring to be done.

[Chemist_Geek]

I have never myself been to Detroit. I never knew it was a hot place ( is it hotter that Arizona or Oklahoma during summer)?

It's not the heat here, it's the humidity... All those Great Lakes just sitting right there billowing clouds of steam...

[concerned about politics]

Maybe a mosquito moved between the star and the telescopes!

I bought a little ant farm once, but I couldn't find a tractor small enough and they all died.

[fivecatsandadog]

Actually, it's both. 90+ degrees/high humidity (therefore, BIG thunderboomers and (""shudder"") tornadoes) is rather normal for southeast Michigan in August. Never been to Arizona or OK. Lived my younger years in S. California, and I will never forget my first hot/humid summer in Michigan. Yech.

[desertcry]

This planet is where hillary is queen.

[Charles Martel]

"It is hot enough to have an iron fog and to rain hot iron droplets."

And the occasional Heavy Metal Thunder, no doubt. ;^)

[Darksheare]

Why can't we send her back?!

[MassExodus]

"It is hot enough to have an iron fog and to rain hot iron droplets."

Sounds like an extended weather forcast for downtown Bagdad.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

"It's hot, damned hot!
"Real hot!
"I can cook stuff in my shorts!
"Gonna do a little crotch pot cookin'!
"Was you born on the sun?!?
'S Daaaaamn hot!!!"

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

And a net for the Iron Butterflys.

In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey
Don't you know that I love you
I-na-gadda-da-vida, baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true
Oh won'tcha come with me
An-a take my hand
Oh won'tcha come with me
An-a walk this land
PLEASE TAKE MY HAND!

No, that was a general comment, not specifically meant for you...

[desertcry]

Why can't we send her back We wish! Unfortunately she refused most strongly, and said: Not until every one of us joins her. She needs psople to rule, and worship her.

[hobbes1]

ROTFLMAO!

[Chemist_Geek]

Actually, it's both. 90+ degrees/high humidity (therefore, BIG thunderboomers and (""shudder"") tornadoes) is rather normal for southeast Michigan in August. Never been to Arizona or OK. Lived my younger years in S. California, and I will never forget my first hot/humid summer in Michigan. Yech.

Yeah, August in Detroit isn't a whole lot of fun. Therefore, I try to get up north as much as possible then... :-D

As far as Arizona goes, I spent a few weeks in San Diego during the summer a few years ago. Fascinating place; going from Del Mar to Escondido, from 70 °F to 105 °F, in half an hour... Then I went to Yuma, AZ for a day in August. Bleech.

Re thunderboomers, that's what SKYWARN is for... :-D