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Post by Shooshoo on Apr 25, 2007 17:45:53 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]Scientists discover Earth-like planet 9.42, Wed Apr 25 2007
Scientists have discovered a Earth-like planet just outside our solar system.
European astronomers found the planet orbiting a single star and believe it may have a tropical climate that could support water and potentially life.
Swiss professor Michel Mayor, said: "We have discovered a very low mass planet. In fact, it is the lowest mass ever discovered. It's only five times the mass of the Earth.
"This planet is probably a rocky planet, maybe 50 per cent larger than the Earth, orbiting the star with a period of 13 days."
Although the investigators have not yet seen their discovery, they said its measurements indicate it has a planet not much bigger than Earth pulling on it.
Astronomer Claudio Melo said finding the planet - which is thought to be orbiting a red dwarf star called Gliese 581 - is a significant discovery.
"It is the first time that a planet is discovered with a mass similar to that of Earth's. It is not the same kind of mass but very close and, once again, with a distance that permits us to think that there may be water in the form of liquid," Mr Melo said.
There are many scientific teams searching for planets that can support life like Earth but most of the 200 or so spotted outside the solar system have been gas giants like Jupiter.
Apr 24: Scientists uncover 'kryptonite' Apr 13: Billionaire jets off to space
Cool! now we just have to figure out how to get there lol...
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Post by Weird Rob 87 on Apr 25, 2007 18:34:15 GMT -5
Interesting I have to admit that.
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Post by Mistress Rell on Apr 26, 2007 7:25:08 GMT -5
I wonder if it does have life on it? It would be sooooooo cool to see a form of life that is not from this world. Even if you need a microscope to see it with. Or even plant life. Who knows, us sci-fi writers may have something new to write about.
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Post by Weird Rob 87 on Apr 26, 2007 17:37:05 GMT -5
Yes well if its a new race of people there.. some wackos are bound to get paranoid.
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Post by Shooshoo on Apr 26, 2007 17:57:24 GMT -5
Maybe because its sun is a red dwarf the planet is on its way out and the sentient lifeforms may have left the planet or died out?
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Post by Enchant on Apr 28, 2007 14:30:05 GMT -5
I remember watching tv while in bed about the discovery of earth having a twin planet...very close in simularity as earth.. I found my self wondering what life would be like....would the veggitation be simular? what about intelligent life? It makes me thing of the movie evolution...where evolution takes a alternate path.....wonder if there is some simularities in that reguard..and if so, then perhaps intergallactic relations might happen sooner then thought...
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Post by gmrknox on Jul 5, 2007 17:56:31 GMT -5
I will tell you whats funny I was watching a Enterprise episode where it was talking about a planet 20 light yeats away and being almost the same as earth. It's funny because thats how far this planet is away from us. The writer's of star trek can predict the future...who knows.
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Post by Enchant on Jul 6, 2007 18:42:19 GMT -5
I will tell you whats funny I was watching a Enterprise episode where it was talking about a planet 20 light yeats away and being almost the same as earth. It's funny because thats how far this planet is away from us. The writer's of star trek can predict the future...who knows. You know you might not be too far off, Star trek seems to influence many modern advances...or modern adavances resemble some Star Trek items.
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Post by gmrknox on Jul 6, 2007 22:56:27 GMT -5
I think we need to learn how to build ships like that ones on star trek before finding new *earths* because 20 years is far to long to get there. I will be in my 30's then.
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