'Second Earth' found, 20 light years away - Page 2

**jAZ** · 10-17-2007, 08:53 AM

This popped up on Digg today (strange how that system works sometimes). Too lazy search if it was discussed in April.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...loration/print

'Second Earth' found, 20 light years away

Ian Sample, science correspondent The Guardian Wednesday April 25 2007

The Earth-like Gliese 581C circles a star in the constellation of Libra that is cooler than our sun. Photograph: European Southern Observatory/AP

Scientists have discovered a warm and rocky "second Earth" circling a star, a find they believe dramatically boosts the prospects that we are not alone.

The planet is the most Earth-like ever spotted and is thought to have perfect conditions for water, an essential ingredient for life. Researchers detected the planet orbiting one of Earth's nearest stars, a cool red dwarf called Gliese 581, 20 light years away in the constellation of Libra.

Measurements of the planet's celestial path suggest it is 1½ times the size of our home planet, and orbits close to its sun, with a year of just 13 days. The planet's orbit brings it 14 times closer to its star than Earth is to the sun. But Gliese 581 burns at only 3,000C, half the temperature of our own sun, making conditions on the planet comfortable for life, with average ground temperatures estimated at 0 to 40C. Researchers claim the planet is likely to have an atmosphere. The discovery follows a three-year search for habitable planets by the European Southern Observatory at La Silla in Chile.

"We wouldn't be surprised if there is life on this planet," said Stephane Udry, an astronomer on the project at the Geneva Observatory in Switzerland.

Two years ago, the same team discovered a giant Neptune-sized planet orbiting Gliese 581. A closer look revealed the latest planetary discovery, along with a third, larger planet that orbits the star every 84 days. The planets have been named after their star, with the most earthlike called Gliese 581c. The team spotted the planet by searching the "habitable zone".

DMAC · 10-17-2007, 09:43 AM

Well, I guess if we can send them transmissions in light speed, we can get a message to them in 20 years.

Then, assuming they get the message, and send one back at light speed, we should know in 40 years if there is intelligent life on this planet.

**Dartgod** · 10-17-2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

I guess a 13 day year would pretty much do away with any seasons.

Carl would be on year 533 of his 28 year plan.

DAMMIT, CARL!!

Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan · 10-17-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

I guess a 13 day year would pretty much do away with any seasons.

Be tough to finish a football season in one year there.

**HemiEd** · 10-17-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

I guess a 13 day year would pretty much do away with any seasons.

I wonder how old Skiptowne would be in thirteen day years?

chop · 10-17-2007, 10:47 AM

It's only 120 trillion miles away. Anyone up for a road trip?

How can they actually see that far?

Planetman · 10-17-2007, 10:59 AM

By my calculations Gliese 581C is only 117,313,920,000,000 (One hundred seventeen trillion, three hundred thirteen billion, nine hundred and twenty million) miles away.

ROAD TRIP!

Hog's Gone Fishin · 10-17-2007, 11:03 AM

A year there only lasts thirteen days. That would suck having to file a tax return every two weeks.

Planetman · 10-17-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Carl would be on year 533 of his 28 year plan.

DAMMIT, CARL!!

Hog's Gone Fishin · 10-17-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

Well, I guess if we can send them transmissions in light speed, we can get a message to them in 20 years.

Then, assuming they get the message, and send one back at light speed, we should know in 40 years if there is intelligent life on this planet.

Unless its a planet full of chronic procrastinators!

ct · 10-17-2007, 11:08 AM

But think how fast the off-seasons would be! It'd be like football year round!!

Pretty cool stuff, thanks jaz!

**Bob Dole** · 10-17-2007, 11:23 AM

If scientists and engineers would perfect speed-of-light travel in the next few years, Bob Dole could actually arrive there just in time to enjoy a retirement free of dipshits.

**TrebMaxx** · 10-17-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan

Be tough to finish a football season in one year there.

There will be not be a football season there. But the commissioner said there could be plans for a Super bowl.

Inspector · 10-17-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

Well, I guess if we can send them transmissions in light speed, we can get a message to them in 20 years.

Then, assuming they get the message, and send one back at light speed, we should know in 40 years if there is intelligent life on this planet.

If you drive your car there going at the speed of light and then turn on your headlights, does anything come out?

Hog's Gone Fishin · 10-17-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector

If you drive your car there going at the speed of light and then turn on your headlights, does anything come out?

Yes, I've done it twice.

**Lzen** · 10-17-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chop

How can they actually see that far?

They don't. I believe they look at the wobble of the star. Anything with mass will be attracted to other things with mass. A planet's mass to a star will affect the star's wobble/rotation.

.....or something like that.

10-17-2007, 08:53 AM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	'Second Earth' found, 20 light years away This popped up on Digg today (strange how that system works sometimes). Too lazy search if it was discussed in April. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...loration/print 'Second Earth' found, 20 light years away Ian Sample, science correspondent The Guardian Wednesday April 25 2007 The Earth-like Gliese 581C circles a star in the constellation of Libra that is cooler than our sun. Photograph: European Southern Observatory/AP Scientists have discovered a warm and rocky "second Earth" circling a star, a find they believe dramatically boosts the prospects that we are not alone. The planet is the most Earth-like ever spotted and is thought to have perfect conditions for water, an essential ingredient for life. Researchers detected the planet orbiting one of Earth's nearest stars, a cool red dwarf called Gliese 581, 20 light years away in the constellation of Libra. Measurements of the planet's celestial path suggest it is 1½ times the size of our home planet, and orbits close to its sun, with a year of just 13 days. The planet's orbit brings it 14 times closer to its star than Earth is to the sun. But Gliese 581 burns at only 3,000C, half the temperature of our own sun, making conditions on the planet comfortable for life, with average ground temperatures estimated at 0 to 40C. Researchers claim the planet is likely to have an atmosphere. The discovery follows a three-year search for habitable planets by the European Southern Observatory at La Silla in Chile. "We wouldn't be surprised if there is life on this planet," said Stephane Udry, an astronomer on the project at the Geneva Observatory in Switzerland. Two years ago, the same team discovered a giant Neptune-sized planet orbiting Gliese 581. A closer look revealed the latest planetary discovery, along with a third, larger planet that orbits the star every 84 days. The planets have been named after their star, with the most earthlike called Gliese 581c. The team spotted the planet by searching the "habitable zone".
Posts: 24,799

10-17-2007, 09:43 AM	#16
DMAC MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $10008735	Well, I guess if we can send them transmissions in light speed, we can get a message to them in 20 years. Then, assuming they get the message, and send one back at light speed, we should know in 40 years if there is intelligent life on this planet.
Posts: 11,651

10-17-2007, 10:47 AM	#20
chop Go Chiefs! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $2604270	It's only 120 trillion miles away. Anyone up for a road trip? How can they actually see that far? __________________ Never be satisfied with what you achieve, because it all pales in comparison with what you are capable of doing in the future.
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10-17-2007, 10:59 AM	#21
Planetman Superhero Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Secret Location Casino cash: $10115080	By my calculations Gliese 581C is only 117,313,920,000,000 (One hundred seventeen trillion, three hundred thirteen billion, nine hundred and twenty million) miles away. ROAD TRIP! __________________
Posts: 2,243

10-17-2007, 11:03 AM	#22
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1170477	A year there only lasts thirteen days. That would suck having to file a tax return every two weeks.
Posts: 40,488

10-17-2007, 11:08 AM	#25
ct u b illian Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: DooDah Casino cash: $10009436	But think how fast the off-seasons would be! It'd be like football year round!! Pretty cool stuff, thanks jaz!
Posts: 7,287

10-17-2007, 11:23 AM	#26
Bob Dole King Shit of **** Mountain Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Texarkana, Texas Casino cash: $2034497	If scientists and engineers would perfect speed-of-light travel in the next few years, Bob Dole could actually arrive there just in time to enjoy a retirement free of dipshits.
Posts: 48,813