'Second Earth' found, 20 light years away

**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".

**morphius** · 10-17-2007, 09:04 AM

That is pretty sweet. I'd guess anything that close to the star would most likely have an orbit where only one side faces the star, which could cause some issues. But cool nonetheless.

**Iowanian** · 10-17-2007, 09:06 AM

I thought Snopes revealed that it turned out that Rosie O'Donnell went on a twinkey binge.

**Baby Lee** · 10-17-2007, 09:09 AM

Maybe it popped up because of a recent article talking about improving technology in measuring distant environments making scientists more hopeful to find a planet of this type.
Seems like I saw an article like that in the past few days.

FAX · 10-17-2007, 09:11 AM

This is awesome news.

I don't like the name they've given second Earth, though. Those people aren't going to like being called, "Gliesers".

FAX

Radar Chief · 10-17-2007, 09:14 AM

Isn’t a “red dwarf” a contradiction in terms?
Its been forever since I read anything on this, but I thought a sun grew into a “red giant” as it cooled then contracted to a “white dwarf” before finally dying.

**Rausch** · 10-17-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Isn’t a “red dwarf” a contradiction in terms?

Nein!

http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/

Mr. Laz · 10-17-2007, 09:22 AM

i wonder if Gliese-ian chicks are hot?

JimNasium · 10-17-2007, 09:29 AM

James T. Kirk would hit it.

**Dartgod** · 10-17-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

This is awesome news.

I don't like the name they've given second Earth, though. Those people aren't going to like being called, "Gliesers".

FAX

Wouldn't they be called Glieselings? That's kind of cooler.

JimNasium · 10-17-2007, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Wouldn't they be called Glieselings? That's kind of cooler.

What if they call their planet earth? We would have to come up with another name for our planet then. Since Neptune is already taken I think we should rename our planet "Planet Simplex".

DMAC · 10-17-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Isn’t a “red dwarf” a contradiction in terms?
Its been forever since I read anything on this, but I thought a sun grew into a “red giant” as it cooled then contracted to a “white dwarf” before finally dying.

A red giant is the start of a dying star.

A red dwarf is just a small star. It is not dying... yet, anyway.

A red dwarf is a very common star.

FAX · 10-17-2007, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

What if they call their planet earth? We would have to come up with another name for our planet then. Since Neptune is already taken I think we should rename our planet "Planet Simplex".

Our sun is hotter so we should get to keep the Earth name, Mr. JimNasium. I say we call their people Simplexions and just ignore them.

FAX

patteeu · 10-17-2007, 09:39 AM

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

JimNasium · 10-17-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Our sun is hotter so we should get to keep the Earth name, Mr. JimNasium. I say we call their people Simplexions and just ignore them.

FAX

If we are to ignore them then we should refer to them as either Hootiens or Goatcheesians.

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".
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10-17-2007, 09:04 AM	#2
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6835027	That is pretty sweet. I'd guess anything that close to the star would most likely have an orbit where only one side faces the star, which could cause some issues. But cool nonetheless.
Posts: 25,977

10-17-2007, 09:06 AM	#3
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4638454	I thought Snopes revealed that it turned out that Rosie O'Donnell went on a twinkey binge.
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10-17-2007, 09:09 AM	#4
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	Maybe it popped up because of a recent article talking about improving technology in measuring distant environments making scientists more hopeful to find a planet of this type. Seems like I saw an article like that in the past few days. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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10-17-2007, 09:11 AM	#5
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	This is awesome news. I don't like the name they've given second Earth, though. Those people aren't going to like being called, "Gliesers". FAX
Posts: 44,492

10-17-2007, 09:14 AM	#6
Radar Chief Wearing ballistic dog goggles. Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: In the box. Casino cash: $5061503	Isn’t a “red dwarf” a contradiction in terms? Its been forever since I read anything on this, but I thought a sun grew into a “red giant” as it cooled then contracted to a “white dwarf” before finally dying.
Posts: 25,261

10-17-2007, 09:22 AM	#8
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	i wonder if Gliese-ian chicks are hot? __________________ Last edited by Mr. Laz; 10-17-2007 at 09:33 AM..
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10-17-2007, 09:29 AM	#9
JimNasium Voodoo Chile Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: At the crossroad Casino cash: $2643902	James T. Kirk would hit it.
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10-17-2007, 09:39 AM	#14
patteeu The 23rd Pillar Join Date: Sep 2002 Casino cash: $10019237	I guess a 13 day year would pretty much do away with any seasons. __________________ “Boy, you all want power. God, I hope you never get it.” - Lindsay Graham
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