Scientists discover 'second Earth'?
At a recent conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of space travel, scientists predicted that the next 50 years will uncover that we're not alone in the universe.
Some researchers believe that time may be sooner than later.
Scientists at the Geneva Observatory of Switzerland have reportedly discovered a "second Earth," a planet that's circling a star 20 light-years away. According to an article from the Guardian in the United Kingdom, the scientists said the planet's warm and rocky conditions are most like Earth's, meaning that it could likely support water and life.
"We wouldn't be surprised if there is life on this planet," astronomer Stephane Udry said in the article.
Here are some details disclosed about the planet: It's orbiting one of Earth's nearest stars, Gliese 581, in the constellation of Libra. The scientists believe it's 1.5 times the size of Earth, with a year of 13 days. They also said that the planet could have an atmosphere.
The Swiss scientists are among others searching for habitable planets. According to the article, the same team found another large planet orbiting Gliese 581 two years ago. But after further investigation, they found this latest planet, which they've named Gliese 581c.
sun to completely fry any life.
our sun and it would make sense that the planet's orbit would be
considerably shorter compared to Terra if it is in the so-called
"life/habital zone".
However, it would likely be tidally locked and the star might
have some significant variability and flaring. So you would have
a hotter side and a colder side.. with a windy paradise on the
terminator.
The colder and hotter side might not be so bad, though, if there
is weather circulation, which there would certainly be if there
was a significant atmosphere (another required postulate, of
course).
See this link which explains the basic principals involved in calculating orbit speed.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/spacecraft/q0164.shtml
I am no physics master, but my guess is that the professional astronomers making this announcement have done the math carefully and determined that the distances work out to a planet that receives about as much solar radiation as the earth does. Smaller sun + bigger planet, closer in = potential for liquid water.
It astonishes me that they can measure precisely enough to get the numbers they need to solve these equations, but if the measurements are correct, orbit speed doesn't necessarily mean that this new planet must necessarily be like Mercury.
Remember that there star is a red dwarf, which means it has lived much longer than our sun, which probably means their lifeforms have had a lot longer time to evolve and develop technology for space travel. Plus, since their star is much older and closer to death, they have a much bigger incentive to find other places to live.
One thing for sure, they probably used up their oil already so there
goes our incentive to go there!
Just kidding on both counts!
Why not invest said research time in finding a means to go there first, then worry about where to go? ;-)
Well, who cares about you?
The good of civilization is what will be good for all of us, in the future, "if" we make the decision "before" the future to do anything...
Invest in tomorrow, your progeny will benefit from your thoughtfulness.
It’s like men wanting to fly. They didn’t do it just because. They did it because the sky is free, open, unexplored. Therefore we build with that goal or dream in mind.
The very idea that there may be a second Earth out there is exactly what men need to get them thinking about practical long distance space travel.
Warp 9 anyone? lol
- Great News
- by simplelifer October 17, 2007 11:29 PM PDT
- It's a great news that will keep some of us hoping and dreaming.
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