GJ 1214 b is a planet that is getting a great deal of attention this month after Japanese astronomers found evidence that the planet (some 40 light years away) could be a “super Earth” with a thick, steamy water-rich atmosphere.
The planet is located in the center of the Milky Way and appears to have a thick atmosphere. The Japanese believe that atmosphere is water vapor. With a 38 hour orbit around a red-dwarf sun, it is 2.6 times Earth’s diameter and weighs almost seven times that of Earth.
You might not want to pack your swimsuit just yet (or at least bring a lot of sun block). Given its proximity to the run, it is believed to have a temperature of 230 degrees Celsius or 446 degrees Fahrenheit.
So much for visions of the planet Kamino.
Source: Daily Mirror
Squeeky, If Gojra is a metaphor for a rampaging murderous creature that can destroy civilization on a new world -or this one -not very big. Not very big at all:
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-10-deadliest-bacteria
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Bigfatmike, I pace myself 🙂
” 11 cups of coffee today hasn’t been enough”
…. OK. But next time you need a permission slip from your doctor.
The downside of living on a planet orbiting a red dwarf is great:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitability_of_red_dwarf_systems
On the other hand, if we could see into the infrared, indigenous life would look like a cross between what bees and butterflies see and the Riddick-pov scenes in Pitch Black; black or a dark monochromatic in our visible spectrum but colorful and heat shimmery in its own spectrum. How cool would that be?
Here’s the thing, (to use a 80’s cliche’) the universe hates us. We need to recognize these discoveries for the interesting things that they are but look to ourselves for finding a new Eden right here. We need to make it so. The obstacles, getting there completely aside, to living somewhere else are so great that there is little difference between colonizing a new world and building an artificial one to take refuge in. It going to come down to living in boxes in a murderous environment. One we construct in space would probably have fewer nasty surprises.
Every single aspect of life on a new world is perilous to the point pf lethality from the devastating effects of gravity differences, atmospheric differences and the new sun’s radiation difference from ours down to the possibility of microscopic and untra-toxic microbes. Microscopic killers are probably the norm on any planet worth setting down on -one that has liquid water. In the great search for a new habitat for humankind we would be the Martians in the H. G. Wells story War of the Worlds.
If we want our descendants to be able to step outside their homes/habitats and breath fresh air or stand naked in the rain we need to work on conservation and rehabilitation, not extra-solar exploration.
The more I read about the new and environmentally destructive practices humankind is turning to the more I’ve considered this. The research on extra-solar planets and potentially habitable moons should all come with warning disclaimers so people don’t get their hopes up about a last refuge off planet. I recall my first thought after reading an article about the potential colonization of Mars, not this time around but about 20 years ago: ‘yeah, the ultimate suburb for the wealthy after they completely destroy this planet.’ I enjoy the science and the discoveries are tres cool but it’s science fiction, fiction being the operative word.
Other than that, yeah, this is a really cool discovery. Wow, got long winded and negative there, sorry. Maybe, like 11 cups of coffee today hasn’t been enough; or maybe I should switch to lemonade about now. 🙂
I am wondering what size Godzirra would be on this planet???
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
” number of years required to go to the planet 12 light years away would be 211,774.36 years ONE WAY.”
True but misleading. The number of years necessary to travel to a planet 12 light years away depends entirely on the velocity at which one travels. Traveling at the speed of light, presumably the greatest velocity possible, it would take a mere 12 years to travel to your new home.
What we have here is the chance to get in on prime water front property ripe for development. The view is worth the commute.
Free boat slip with every purchase. Cashiers check only, please.
Quite toasty!
We’re talking Solaris!!
Heft
Ly we canal be transported safely there after we are finished destroying this one…..
“You might not want to pack your swimsuit just yet (or at least bring a lot of sun block). Given its proximity to the run, it is believed to have a temperature of 230 degrees Celsius or 446 degrees Fahrenheit.”
By the time we get there that red-dwarf may have cooled it a bit:
(A Lovely Planet In The Neighborhood?).
Kevin Costner broke out his gills in celebration, but poor box office performance is hindering his plans to make an on-site sequel.
(About 40 minutes, Lrobby. :D)
How long before the first Kevin Costner joke appears?
HERE I come to save the Daay! Which means that mighty mouse is on the Way!
If Japanese scientists could learn how to clean up that nuclear power plant then this Earth might not become “super”. Japanese scientists! Jeso. Next you will tell us about Armenian beauty queens named Kardasian.