160 billion planets in the Milky Way?!

MSNBC ^ | January 11, 2012 | Alan Boyle

[cripplecreek]

I can prove without a doubt that we haven't encountered a sentient alien race.

If we had, ACORN would be canvassing their neighborhoods signing them up to vote.



Course, its possible that they're conservatives and just want the government to leave them the hell alone.

[Strategerist]

They only know the planets are there the "wobble" effect in the star created by the planet's gravitation effect.

Kepler works by measuring the dimming of the star as a planet passes in front of it.

[circlecity]

"Feeling small yet?"

Not really. Yes, it is an awesome thing to contemplate the vastness of the universe but remember this - that universe contemplates nothing.

[Moonman62]

The billions of WORLDS spinning through the billions of galaxies were not made in vain either!

They’re inhabited.

That can't even be said for all the planets and moons in our solar system. Just because they aren't inhabited, doesn't mean they are a waste.

[dfwgator]

Course, its possible that they're conservatives and just want the government to leave them the hell alone.

They were.

[Larry Lucido]

So maybe we CAN each have our own planet.

[MrB]

That would require that we be in the same plane as the orbit of the planet, would it not?

[circlecity]

"Kepler works by measuring the dimming of the star as a planet passes in front of it."

But that provides no more (probably less) information about whether the planet could sustain life than measuring the wobble effect.

[Hacklehead]

160 billion planets in the Milky Way (and no intelligent life on any of them).

[TYVets]

...maybe a telescope on the far side of the moon.

A great idea.

It maybe a while since 0bama's people have not started astronaut training for their trip to one of the asteroids.

First the asteroids then the back side of the moon?

[org.whodat]

That statement is a display of pure ignorance.

[Rashputin]

"But, I imagine that one might need additional executive experience to take that big of a job."

You're probably right. That must be why Snitt Romney wants to be President, to pad his resume.

[caww]

That’s just way more than WOW!

[Revolting cat!]

Scientologists too. They can divide the universe between theirselves!

(Waiting for the humourless to respond: “that was uncalled for”.)

[Del Rapier]

And 7 billion people on Earth and about half a dozen more in a tin can orbiting it.

[baddog 219]

The planet with thousands of beautiful sex starved Amazon women is mine!

[af_vet_rr]

Personally, I hope the universe was created for us and doesn't have any intelligent life. Instead, God wants us to go forth, be fruitful, and multiply.

I don't think He meant for us to use the tools He gave us to venture out into space and to the Moon and then retreat to low earth orbit.

[dragnet2]

Thanks. Considering the object was not even visible to the unaided eye, when I processed that image, I was blown away.

BTW, the tallest of those pillars in that image, is closer to 60 trillion miles high...

[cripplecreek]

Low earth orbit is good for one thing. (Actually the moon is even better)

Manufacturing for launches of large ships from orbit.

There is some great much faster propulsion technology out there but the problem is that it tends to be large and its still gotta be lifted to orbit.

[dragnet2]

One more bit of interest regarding that image..

Even more incredible than it's size....Recently evidence was discovered which indicates the Pillars were possibly destroyed by a nearby supernova explosion about 6,000 years ago, but that event or light from that object, will not reach Earth for another thousand years. It's being speculated what is left is a stellar nursery, where stars are being created/formed from the material left in the aftermath of that possible cataclysmic event.