Earth-sized planets are just right for life

New Scientist Space ^ | 09/07/09 | David Shiga

[KevinDavis]

THE discovery of extrasolar super-Earths - rocky planets about five to ten times the mass of Earth - has raised hopes that some may harbour life. Perhaps it's a vain hope though, since it now seems that Earth is just the right size to sustain lif

[Michael Barnes]

Yippee! For all of my planet-hopping, I’m glad I settled on THIS one. *SNORT*

Funny, to be sure, but think about this for a moment (and no, not singling you out, question for all). If we could travel to other worlds, and we find there are countless worlds, how do you settle on just one? I know I could not grow roots at that point. I would be saving for the top of the line Winnebago of the inter-stellar kind asap!

Come to think of it, those folks that retire to lush motor homes and simply travel have got something going on there...

[notaliberal]

Yes, GOD knows what he is doing!

[LiberConservative]

I would never go to a planet too far away from the size of earth. Too small and my muscles will deteriorate. Too large and I will be crushed.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I’m a Homebody. I like Earth. It’s always been very accommodating. ;)

I spent 20 years in the Army traveling the globe. That was MORE than enough time away to make me want to stay ‘home’ for the rest of my life. :)

As Grandpa said on his 89th birthday ~ “Coming up on 90 trips around the Sun...and it STILL ain’t enough!”

Dude...we LIVE on a satellite; enjoy the ride. :)

[Mogollon]

I don’t know if the size of the world makes a difference.

Depends on what you mean by difference: A 200 pound man would weigh 1000 pounds on a planet that was 5 times the mass of earth. The man may be strong enough to crawl a short distance but his legs would not be strong enough for him to stand upright and walk.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Which planet will make me about 5-foot 7-inches and 112 pounds?

I’ll move there. ;)

[BenLurkin]

There are many other things that will be needed other than jsut similar size.

[onedoug]

But for ancient beaches, since uplifted. Hence geologists.

I’ve seen whale, and marine fossils from mountains.

Too much gravity in the planets of the article for that kind of life though.

[count-your-change]

I do understand the people doing these studies have to earn a living and I wouldn’t want them in any serious work where they might do real harm, so I guess maybe their work is a bargain.

[GeronL]

and a 300 pound man would weigh 1500??

Geez.

What would I weigh on Mars?? No, the moon! I’m gonna live on the moon.

[dangerdoc]

bump

[USNBandit]

I don’t know if the size of the world makes a difference.

If it was any bigger, how would we change the climate?!

[GeronL]

good point

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks KevinDavis!

· join · view topics · view or post blog · bookmark · post new topic ·

Google news searches: exoplanet · exosolar · extrasolar ·