"Scientists have identified about 200 planets outside our solar system."
-- REUTERS, Scientists surprised by data about distant planets, 2007.02.22
Is anybody else as astonished at this number as I am?

From: [identity profile] canismajor3.livejournal.com


OMG! I just heard about that! Isn't it amazing?? I knew they were doing stuff with the IR detection of exoplanetary atmospheres, but DAMN! I wasn't expecting results so soon!! *dies of awesomeness again*

I LOVE ASTROPHYSICS!!! :D

From: [identity profile] kevynjacobs.livejournal.com


It looks like we have a neighbourhood.

Hope we can be good neighbours!

From: [identity profile] baxil.livejournal.com


As a ballpark figure, that sounds about right. Back when I was working in the media, I'd occasionally see stories about the latest planetary discovery; a slow but steady trickle.

Unfortunately, most of the ones they're able to see are huge gas giants - easier to detect at those ranges. Unless they've specifically mentioned it in the story, I don't think they've confirmed any Earthlike planets out there yet. That's where the real action probably is.

From: [identity profile] kevynjacobs.livejournal.com


They may be gas giants, but we know from our own experience gas giants are good for life... Jupiter swallows many a comet and asteroid that would otherwise threaten the inner planets. It may be true in these other systems as well.

So the presence of gas giants might not be such a bad thing. It gives us places to look.
.

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