[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

But we can’t get there by Friday.

[nomad]

Did any Boffins die, bringing us this information?

[Red Badger]

Tow See Tee Ping!.........

[cripplecreek]

I’d weigh about 800 lbs there.

[kidd]

We are now beginning to understand that Nature seems to overwhelmingly prefer systems that have a multiple planets with orbits of less than one hundred days

Not necessarily true. These are the ones that can be detected with present technology/methods.

[Resolute Conservative]

Is it a gun free planet?

[BwanaNdege]

I just finished “Time for the Stars”, By Robert A. Heinlein.

IIRC (my short term memory is kaput), Tau Ceti was home to “Connie”, the first habitable planet found by the Torchship “Lewis & Clark” of the Long Range Foundation.

[RinaseaofDs]

Hooray!

If Neil Armstong had tried to take his giant step there, he’d have weighed about 1000 earth-pounds and his leg would have snapped like a twig.

It also means anything with the ability to walk around down there would be, on average, five times stronger than the average human.

By all means, let’s colonize it. Let’s send them some flowers and candy and have them come visit.

[Nateman]

"We are now beginning to understand that Nature seems to overwhelmingly prefer systems that have a multiple planets with orbits of less than one hundred days."

Bah Humbug! It is a result of the way planets are detected. The star wobbles slightly and the frequency of the light is shifted. You can detect it easier if the planet is in close so guess what, you find a bunch of planets in close!

[hosepipe]

But these people that can see a mere 6 light years away did they vote for Obama?..

If they did their judgements on anything are suspect..

[Billthedrill]

That’s it then, I’m off. Except for a couple of minor engineering issues - light-speed travel, for example - the biggest problem will be TSA on the other end. Tentacles. I shall say no more.

[adorno]

Tau Ceti, which is just 12 light years away and can be seen with the naked eye in the night sky

If we can see them, they can see us.

And, would they mind if they see our eyes naked? You never know what kind of fetishes those "Tau Cetians" might have.

[Shadowstrike]

Take a look at this!

[Ransomed]

I hope Jack Vance hears about this. He’s 96 years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Planet

Freegards

[Red Steel]

I hear the Tau Ceti aliens are friendly!

[Brett66]

Those crazy Brits and their language, I didn’t know this.

Boffin: A boffin is British slang for a scientist, engineer, or other person engaged in technical or scientific work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boffin