Super-Earth in sight

steve smyth — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:26:07 GMT

If this don't scare Folks into realizing we better take care of our own biznis right here on the Earth we have, nothing ever will.
Nice job, Alan...solving the climate crisis with science, and healthy dose of WHOAAA...we'll be OK...
Good on ya...

Super-Earth in sight

SQIRTAYSIA — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:43:20 GMT

WOW ALIENS!

Super-Earth in sight

Franck Marchis, San Francisco, CA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:50:23 GMT

The French press-release for the observatoire de Paris mentions that the mass was estimated to 3-6 Mearth using HARPS, a spectrometer at ESO-La Silla, leading to a density of 3-6 g/cc. So this is likely the first detection of a Super-Earth... a large terrestrial planet.
see my blog on http://www.cosmicdiary.org/blogs/nasa/franck_marchis/?p=85
for details
Thanks for your interesting article
F.

Super-Earth in sight

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:46:34 GMT

real exciting stuff...lol.

Super-Earth in sight

Dave Phelps — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:04:04 GMT

Oh for crying out loud...

These planets are not hot because of the sorts of issues than are being called "global warming"... and they have no cautionary tales for us about taking "care of our own biznis"

Not that we shouldn't take care of things, it's just that this isn't about that.

It is possibly about extraterrestrial life in the indirect sense that we are confirming the existence of things that had previously only appeared on blackboards as equations.

Eventually we may be able to locate rocky planets within the relatively narrow range around faraway suns where liquid water could exist.

Once such places could be discovered, we might be able to discover oxygen or other tell-tale signs of metabolism, meaning life.

It would be just as educational for humanity to find such a planet and discover life as it would be to discover such a planet that we could confirm had no life... either way, we learn something.

And either way, we are a long way from being able to discover extrasolar life. So far we're only filling in a few blanks about the incidence of planet types.. that will help us make better guesses about the history of our own solar system long before it will help us do anything more exotic. (such as discover life)

The real news is how fast this extrasolar technology is advancing.

Super-Earth in sight

Rolf Best — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:40:28 GMT

YAY!! =D

Super-Earth in sight

Nilufer, TX — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:29:43 GMT

Totally agreeing with Steve. I was reading about Mars the other day. It's ridiculous that we are even contemplating about "building a new world" in Mars while we are killing the "already living and beautiful world" here with our greed and ignorance... How arrogant!!! and stupid!!!
It's like saying "I can't take care of my own home, let me build a new one"

My question is: What makes the ones who support settling in Mars, sure that we will be able to not only afford establishing a new world, but also build and CARE for the new one while we have proven not to be able to care for the "already given" and most habitable one ?

Super-Earth in sight

Ben, Chicago — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:38:01 GMT

Oh sure, Global warming is going to cause the earth to move dangerously close to the sun...

Super-Earth in sight

Gary Omaha NE — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:58:25 GMT

there was a quote "Most likely these hot super-Earths formed inside their gas giants, in much the same way that Earth, Venus, Mars and Mercury did," I had never heard this before. Could you make a post about it or send me a link to one.

[ALAN ADDS: That quote could be misunderstood... Boss is saying that the planets formed inside the *orbits* of the gas giants (Jupiter et al.) rather than that they formed within the gas giants themselves. That's pretty straightforward planetary physics. Jupiter is thought to have migrated inward somewhat, perturbing the asteroid belt, while Saturn, Uranus and Neptune migrated outward, having a gravitational impact on Pluto and other icy worlds on the solar system's rim.]

Super-Earth in sight

Michael Gill-Branion, Los Angeles, CA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:52:55 GMT

Wow,

I can't wait until we find another planet we can inhabit and pioneer...

-Michael

Super-Earth in sight

Robbie Withey New Bern,NC — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:01:49 GMT

it's cool that we're finding more & more extrasolar planets. it'll be even cooler when hopefully someday soon i'll read on here that kepler has made the discovery of a lifetime-earth's "twin". when that happens(and i believe it will)we should train every instrument on that system to try to make the greatest discovery of all-there's life there.

Super-Earth in sight

Eric, Salinas, CA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:11:05 GMT

Interesting article Alan! It's amazing at how many extrasolar planets have been found using transit and solar wobble techniques. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Kepler project finds. It's only a matter of time before we find an extrasolar planet that's our size and orbits in the Goldilocks Zone. We've even been able to see an extrasolar planet.

Keep the good science articles coming Alan!

Super-Earth in sight

KaptainKirk, Prairie Space Port, Oklahoma — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:57:49 GMT

Let's take the FIRE AND ICE scenario a step further.
If half the planet is too hot and the other half too cold does that mean there could be a thin area BETWEEN the two extremes that could be more "temperate" and could support life?

The next few years are going to be very exciting. While I doubt that aliens have visited us here on earth I do think it is probable that life in some form could exist elsewhere in the universe. It's just a matter of time before we discover another planet in the sweet zone with water and atmosphere.

Once the excitment about that dies down we'll have to get busy and figure out a way to get there!

I'd suggest everyone read THE FATAL IMPACT and take those lessons to heart before we start knocking on the neighbor's doors.

Keep up the good work Alan.

Super-Earth in sight

cmac — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:27:35 GMT

Every planet we reach is dead. ; )

Super-Earth in sight

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:23:33 GMT

This practice of involking an "earth" comparison is terribly misleading even if the planet approaches the earth's size. Basing a comparison solely on size and mass is rediculous. Which is the same level of thought when Percival Lowell involked beings on Mars due to the illusion of "canals" on Mars.

Super-Earth in sight

Tim, St Louis MO — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:51:17 GMT

Uh, right Steve, greenhouse gases are going to push us towards the sun to 1/60 of our present orbit. I clearly see the connection with this story to the climate crisis.......

Super-Earth in sight

Dave F. — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:12:32 GMT

This is truly an exciting time for all the sciences involved in these discoveries. It wasn't all that long ago we were simply speculating how many planets might exist around other stars just based on the sheer number of stars in the universe - but that's all that was: Speculation.

Having confirmed the existence of so many exoplanets using these various methods is awe-inspiring, and I look forward to more reports along these lines, especially after the launch of Kepler.

Keep up the good work, Alan!

Super-Earth in sight

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:02:52 GMT

It is too bad that we can get there any time soon. I would love to be able to send probes to any possible planets that might be out there. Until we humans can travel the stars, we must send probes to let us know what is out there.

Super-Earth in sight

CJE, HBG PA — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:12:06 GMT

Not sure it would make a difference, but if the planet was always facing the same direction towards it's own sun, maybe the back side--in the shade-- is cool enough for at least some form of hearty microbe. I guess that would also depend on an atmosphere transphering heat around which such a "transition methot" has been used to tell the contents of the atmosphere of such planets in the past.

Super-Earth in sight

Bill Edwards — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:22:13 GMT

Ummm.
Let's prioritize a little here.
We have a global economy tanking all over the place, war and famine on almost every continent, political unrest in more than a handful of countries, genocide in a few of them, a rapid decline in natural resources with which to operate the technology we do have, and precious little effort being expended toward advancing and developing alternatives to our dependency on those recourses.
We have already proven ourselves poor stewards of that with which we have already been entrusted, from the delicacy of our planet to our ability to live in peace, and instead of apply resources toward resolving those issues, we have a bunch of scientists spending untold numbers peering off into space in an attempt to locate another earth.
Of course, they haven't accomplished that task yet, but what they have done with their oversized I.Q.'s is successfully snow-job everyone into believing their task to be worthy of ever increasing levels of financial support.
I can't count the number of these articles I've read over the years, and they all baffle me with how little conclusive information they have.
First of all, this exo-7b is 457 light years away from earth. Not exactly a distance any of us will have the opportunity to travel in either our own lifetimes, or the lifetimes of many generations yet to come.
Exo-7b may, or may not have water on it, may or may not have ice within itself, or perhaps on the cold side of the planet, IF it doesn't rotate around it's star.
Because of it's positioning it may have a rocky surface covered with lava flows.
It IS, according to them, likely earth-like, but probably not where any of us would like to vacation for the time being.
Wow! How did they manage to come up with all that information, or shall we say, guesswork. The same guesswork that seems to go into so many other of their findings from both within, and without our solar system.
Maybe exo-7b has an advanced lifeform that enjoys that kind of heat. How about a subterranean population enjoying a more temperate climate away from the intense heat of it's star? Let's go way out there and suggest that they might have ice rinks and hockey teams on the dark side of the planet.

I don't see the justification for the kind of money and intellect being spent on these deep space ventures when we haven't even the ability to look after what we've already got.
Not only that. We don't even have a full understanding of what we've got yet. New discoveries are being made right here at home everyday.
The expenses being incurred to support this kind of science are akin to the expenses of warfare. So far, none of it really does any of us any good. unless, of course, you have a weapons factory.
If our scientific community absolutly insists on spending money in space, then why don't they put the money and technology into figuring out how man can live on the moon, or on Mars, or the other planets within our immediate circle of neighbours?
There's even a ton of guesswork going on about what's on Mars, and these people are interested in a planet 457 light years away?
Come on people. One task at a time.

Super-Earth in sight

cientos — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:39:28 GMT

Unfortunatly, geology is difficult to assess in such a case. But is it possible that it is just a debris remnant on a collision coarse. The surface would become glassy until all the crystals in the core broke down and it would eventually melt into the coronasphere or photosphere.

Super-Earth in sight

steve smyth — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:55:53 GMT

RE comments on my comment...thanks for taking the time to think of all that as an excuse to not consider what I said...we got one home Kids...nobody alive today knows more about what's up with Human Expansion into Outer Space than Yours Truly, and I'm telling you flat out...there is no escape as long as evolution allows naysayers to proliferate...
so, that said, show me that we can take care of biznis here, and I'll get us off this rock before it's too late...except...NEWS FLASH!!!
There's no place else to go...ask Alan if you don't believe me...
click the name for solutions...to those who think you've been here before with me...think again...it's
all new and improved same ol'...
enjoy!

Super-Earth in sight

Rich in G'burg — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:36:46 GMT

This was an interesting read, but the graphic accompanying it is not very realistic. No way would a planet that small relative to the size of the star cause that huge an observed dimming from its transits.

Not only that, aren't most of these extrasolar planets detected spectroscopically from changes in radial velocities, and not by changes in observed magnitude of the primary star?

Super-Earth in sight

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:31:37 GMT

"Totally agreeing with Steve. I was reading about Mars the other day. It's ridiculous that we are even contemplating about "building a new world" in Mars while we are killing the "already living and beautiful world" here with our greed and ignorance... How arrogant!!! and stupid!!!
It's like saying "I can't take care of my own home, let me build a new one" "

No, it's more like: "WHILE I'm fixing my planet, I'm ALSO going to learn about other ones.

As someone else noted, that particular exoplanet tells us nothing about living environments or global warming, it's too damn close to its star. Period.

"My question is: What makes the ones who support settling in Mars, sure that we will be able to not only afford establishing a new world, but also build and CARE for the new one while we have proven not to be able to care for the "already given" and most habitable one ?"

So, what makes you think it's not possible to do both? Why is it space flight OR (fill in blank)?This is a civilization that does many things at once, already. (Indeed, we *have* to, or all the 'politically correct' things would have to stand in line. Is fixing the environment first, more important than ending hunger, curing cancer, ending poverty, clean energy, etc? No, we work on it ALL.) We DO walk and chew gum at the same time, and having no space research would not bring the things you want, any closer, any faster...

Super-Earth in sight

William James, Cape Town, South Africa. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:01:16 GMT

I totally agree that we cannot take care of our own planet that "God" entrusted unto us. How then can we expect to be given the wisdom to form other simular planets? This was not , & never can be our job.
Some one out there , I have a problem. why does the earth move around the sun?

Super-Earth in sight

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:28:44 GMT

William James..the earth moves around the sun as do all the planets and asteroids and comets due to the momentum of early formation when gas and dust collapsed into an accretion disc around the sun. Then in accordance with Newtons universal law of gravitation, orbits were established.

God doesn't entrust anything to humanity. The earth will comtinue on long after humanity has ruined it.
Humanity is but a phenominal blip in evolution and in the history of the earth.

Super-Earth in sight

Jerry Shively - Belhaven, NC — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:48:21 GMT

Well, let us see the physics of all this, are there elements of chemistry, mass and compound mass involved to make a planets?
Are we not elements and chemistry creatures - sure -then why not accept that if the mixing bowl (the Universe) can do it once then maybe it can do it thousands of times and maybe even better. Everyone has to realize that the competition is high in the universe as it is on our own planet with global elements as well as humanitarian problems. Launch the instruments the scientists are there and when the time comes to confront the "new beings or life" will we have to listen rather than bolster we found you?
Take time to remember how unknowingly the magic of the Universe can be.

Super-Earth in sight

GMNX, Lamar, Colorado — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:03:02 GMT

Are these people really so self important to believe that humans will destroy the earth? Do they really believe that humans will fight their nature and become less competitive, which leads to the fighting? Please. Anyways, it's good to be looking to the stars and finding out what's out there. Ever consider the fact that any answers we find in space could solve some of the problems on earth? Maybe the secret to a cure of what we know as cancer is on another planet.

Super-Earth in sight

Eric D Mattson — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:53:58 GMT

I believe there has and will continue to be Alien life in the Universe. The Universe's boundaries are vast and there are many mysteries yet to solve and figure out.

I believe Aliens have come here to our Solar System to include Earth. I also believe they still visit us and will continue to do so.

All world governments know this yet they must think that there are people who are blind to this conspiracy. They should just come out and tell everyone the truth. Hopefully, it comes during my lifetime.

I actually think of this subject quite often. Sorry for thinking aloud.....BUT If I had one wish, it would be to meet an Alien lifeform and just ask it questions about life and the Universe. Maybe take a ride on their saucer. Perhaps one day it will happen.

Super-Earth in sight

Hugo Barrantes miami fla — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:27:47 GMT

I don't thnk the human race is ready to learn the truth about aliens, althoug our thenology is advancing at a steady pace , our maturity as an species it still quite primitive, it would send people into chaos, mass suicide and things of that ignorant nature, I belive it is best left to the scientist, who may know what to expect , than to take a chance and hope the world will understand that we're not alone....

Super-Earth in sight

Ryan Toczylowski, Wyoming, Michigan — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:51:59 GMT

What... I mean, WHAT? How can the place be
"nor a liquid or a gas"? Wouldn't that make it solid?
But it's not solid to begin with--- The discoveries
those French people make, huh?

Super-Earth in sight

Nilufer — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:22:27 GMT

Frank Glover! if you can get a 'massive' loan from a bank with a terrible credit or if you can get hired to a top-notch job with a terrible work background, then, talk to me about "fixing our planet and building a new, livable planet simultaneously"...

Going to Mars is a luxury at the moment. All our answers are already here!

The ALIENS are already here! (it is just that... they are called "animals" or "plants"). They have different forms of societies, cultures and civilizations. What makes us believe that we will be able to communicate with aliens from outer space if we don't even have a clue about the life of an animal??

The cure for the cancer is here!!! Actually, if we just could "take proper care" of our planet, we wouldn't even think about exploring the space in order to 'find the cure for cancer', because we wouldn't have cancer.

Yet we still don't seem to get it to our human heads that what we seek out there is actually right here!! within our grasp!

well the grass is always greener on the other side, right?

If we could wisen up enough to grow in a healthy way, then, going to Mars and exploring our universe would be things we do just out of curiosity! and truly for sake of science!
Not pushed by people with financial interests or status quo demands, at the expense of other developments.

Super-Earth in sight

Nilufer — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:25:49 GMT

darn! even I forgot to add the "other societies" into my worldly alien list! :(

case in point!

Super-Earth in sight

michael,east stroudsburg,pennsylvenia — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:31:46 GMT

i think everyone has the right to know whats surrounding them and fo the immature people grow up
life is life and see how it is sometimes it just makes me sad to see that we have not even reached the top of maturity but i hope that one day, that all should see what is going on.

Super-Earth in sight

Sloth, GA — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:46:01 GMT

Nilufer, throughout all of your comments, I fail to see the understanding of why we're actually looking at going into space. We're not looking at "moving" to another planet just so we can find a cure for cancer. In fact, I have yet to read up on a single article stating we're going into space for any reason other than bettering our knowledge of our universe, looking for other worlds to colonize on, or just out of simple curiosity.

You say we shouldn't be moving to other planets because we've messed up our own planet and we should focus on keeping it intact but how is all that going to go around the looming problem of over-population? Last time I checked, that's one of the primary reasons researchers were looking at inter-planetary colonization.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to insult or belittle you in any way. It's just that in regards to the human race, judgements and opinions shouldn't be made off of our past mistakes, but on how we learn from them and consistantly find more efficient ways of achieving our goals.

Super-Earth in sight

Nilufer, TX — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:16:34 GMT

Sloth, neither am I trying to insult you, but you have missed to integrate the other comments, and thus seeing my point: Finding a cure for cancer and such are the reasons given by other people to justify the manned missions in space exploration, not me. If you look again you can see many of such statements, including yours. It seems you contradict yourself. You say “we're going into space for bettering our knowledge of our universe, looking for other worlds to colonize on, or just out of simple curiosity” . Later, you lament on the “looming problem of over-population”.

My point is not about judging people, especially, by their ‘past’ mistakes. My point is that the mistakes are ‘continuing and persistent’. In fact, I am not judging anyone. I am merely trying to point out to the fault in our perspective, an unjustified rationalization, i.e., ‘we don’t need to fix what we broke and keep on breaking; and yet be given more toys to play just because we believe that we will not break it next time… just based on our ‘good intentions and promises’. I just don’t buy it. If it was just a simple thing, a small resource, possibly I would go ahead and give the toy just out of curiosity. But, when it comes to earth and its inhabitants, it is only arrogance to overlook at our responsibilities. And that is what I have a problem with.

When we are talking about a resource as great as ‘establishing a colony on a barren, distant planet’ I believe the issue demands more responsible consideration and less wishful thinking. Like I have said before, even for smaller resources, like a bank credit or landing a job, we first need proven credibility. Why should we think less when it comes to resources we can use either to renew our world or establish a colony from scratch?

I haven’t given up on this world or its people yet!

I genuinely am not against establishing new life on other planets but, I am afraid that just like the donkey in La Fontaine’s fable, at the current immature state of human civilization the most possible outcome will be losing both of them.

Let me get back to your reason for manned space explorations, (aside from the stated simple curiosity): Do you really believe that actually moving on to other planets is our solution to 'overpopulation'? Are we really like viruses? Once the resources of one place/organism is depleted then we should move on to other places? Don’t you think that the proven methods of education and birth control are easier, cheaper and more dignified? C’mon, even a simple literacy program among women, once in Africa, have sliced the birthrate almost into half (if I remember the number right). Most of the time, the governments and political or financial powers support human propagation, so that there will be either manpower to overrule a country (as is done by Kurds in Turkey. They are literally called “seedlings” by their society) or free labor (as is done in China, so that the unregistered people can literally become slaves). We need more ‘younger generations’ so that we can sustain the cycle of our industrialized economies.

The point is: We already have our solutions to our problems in our current planet with our ‘alien’ friends (just not in the little green man form) here on Earth. What guarantees that we will not be getting straight into the same problems when we start colonizing other planets? Has colonization ever been a solution, other than being temporary and for the benefit of a limited group of people at the expense of a great majority? (Don’t worry, I am not missing the point that Mars is assumed to be barren. But that is just an assumption right? Who can claim that we will never run into any other race in any of our manned missions that our greed will not want to enslave them?)

The reasons for setting up manned missions to other planets should not be anything other than moving onto another canvas after we have masterfully performed the art of living here on this Earth. Simply because, this time, this move is just going to take too many resources and is going to change too many things. If we are ready, it will be fun and quite possibly a great success. If we are not, it will only be exchanging one set of complications with a larger set of complications, and I just don’t see why should we invest and sacrifice all those resources for a greater set of complications. I don’t believe an economist would agree with its fruitfulness.

I don't want people to misunderstand my point though. Because it is out of 'cliche' it is highly probable that it will. Know this, I am definitely on the side of manned space exploration (especially if I get a free ticket too  ). Being an astronaut was my childhood dream and I have been a 'trekkie' for the most of my life. But, I grew out of these when I realized that the current state (awareness) of the 'world civilization' is way too low to be able to realize these dreams.

Sustaining a 'self-supporting' life style and awareness, and becoming a benevolent life form is what we will need “to be”, if we are really seeking benefit, understanding and hopefully communication with superior civilizations.

It is not only the wasting of billions of tax dollars (I hate to talk about this, but it is true) that concerns me. My main concern is that this perspective, this hope of finding a magical solution to our problems out there somewhere, is leading us to divert our attention from our current responsibilities and the solutions that are already at our disposal here on our Earth.

Why are we insisting on “recreating the wheel” and then saving the world, when we already have one and just can use it here and now? Isn’t is faster and cheaper? Aren’t we going to be saving more people, animals, plants and the earth (not just the rock) if we start focusing on ourselves? I mean, we are sick and crippled at home, wanting to go outside to the playground. Yes we should use our desire to motivate us to get up, go, and play, but isn’t the first step “to get on our feet” and hold our dignity?

Super-Earth in sight

Sloth, GA — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:26:23 GMT

Um...wow to say the least. I won't say i stand corrected because in a way, i still "believe" that part of what I said stands to be, but on the other hand, I actually enjoyed reading your response. You had a lot of good points (and analogies) in it and it does make a lot of sense. You pointed out many facts that are (unfortunately) very true about human nature and how we go about doing things.

That being said, I really can't discredit much, if any, of what you said. It is good to see that there's at least one other person, who sees this side of humanity, out there. They say "with age comes wisdom" and whether or not that's true in your case is unknown nor is it really any of my business. Regardless I do see you as a rather bright person. I'd love to chat with you on subjects such as these but this really isn't that type of forum ):. If there's the slightest possibility that your interested, I'll leave my email...

P.S. Watch, I'll leave it and get spammed by some unknown person *sobs*.

Super-Earth in sight

Sloth, GA — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:23:40 GMT

Seeing as the link below didn't put it there, I'll just place it here: mythrilorb@hotmail.com

Super-Earth in sight

Clark Tumanda, Butuan City, Philippines — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:57:13 GMT

How can super earth affect our life on earth?

Super-Earth in sight

Malachi C, Redding, Ca — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:45:04 GMT

Great points nilufer. This is an exciting concept but we are nowhere near ready. We are simply indulging selfish fantasies, which is the true issue at hand. Our natural instinct to look out for "#1" and our need for instant gratification will lead to our downfall if they aren't addressed. The idea that this is looking to the future is a cop out. Your virus analogy was spot on in that regard. Is this really the best way for beings like us to survive in this universe?

Super-Earth in sight

Tennessee — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:31:30 GMT

wow, imagine all the possibilities. i just wish god would have gave us a head up on this.