Scientists announce planet bounty

Source: BBC

Astronomers have announced a haul of planets found beyond our Solar System. The 32 "exoplanets" ranged in size from five times the mass of Earth to 5-10 times the mass of Jupiter, the researchers said.

They were found using a very sensitive instrument on a 3.6m telescope at the European Southern Observatory's La Silla facility in Chile.

The discovery is exciting because it suggests that low-mass planets could be numerous in our galaxy.

"From (our) results, we know now that at least 40% of solar-type stars have low-mass planets. This is really important because it means that low-mass planets are everywhere, basically," explained Stephane Udry from Geneva University, Switzerland. "What's very interesting is that models are predicting them, and we are finding them; and furthermore the models are predicting even more lower-mass planets like the Earth."

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In revealing the new collection of planets on Monday, the Harps team-members said they expected to confirm the existence of another batch, similar in number, during the coming six months. The ultimate goal is to find a rocky planet in a star's "habitable zone", an orbit where temperatures are in a range that would support the presence of liquid water.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8314581.stm

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We need to find another habitable planet and develop the means to get us there pronto.

Generations from now, when colonists set forth to put down new roots on Planet GC3029c, some of them will make their new home on Derby Beach. And maybe I'll be there for the occasion, waiting to greet my new neighbors with the catch of the day.

I can dream, can't I?

:cry: :cry: :cry:

So, in principle there could be life.

http://www.planetary.org/news/2007/0718_Ice_Crystals_on_Plutos_Moon_Charon.html

Like Planet Hollywood, only paper-towel-themed?

before inhabiting a new planet

...with losing the bad habits, that is.

will likely destroy themselves before getting a chance to travel in number to any other planet. The universe has little use for the likes of us.

we are not all as bad as the worst amongst us... but I am also aware of some history of this planet of ours, so I don't expect humanity to live forever.

Damn those people!

On the other hand, how big is the bounty?

as we know there's water there.
I find the moon bomb mission's lack of water interesting since there have been 2 other reports recently saying there IS water on the moon.

Anyway mars has an atmosphere. and ironically, our bad habits for using petrol, etc, would actually be a GOOD thing there - we need to thicken up the atmosphere and green house gases will do that.