Triple Sunset: Planet Discovered in 3-Star System

space.com ^ | 07/13/05 | Michael Schirber

[onedoug]

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. ...Malachi 1:11

[SunkenCiv]

"How that planet formed in such a complicated setting is very puzzling. I believe there is yet much to be learned about how giant planets are formed," Konacki said.

Capture!

[SunkenCiv]

Google

[SunkenCiv]

probably a dead link, but I didn't check it.

Europe's Science Machine
by Govert Schilling

Apart from the four main (8.2 meter) telescopes, ESO is planning at least three 1.8-meter auxiliary telescopes to increase the interferometric capabilities of the VLT. In interferometric mode, signals from two or more telescopes are combined to yield the same resolution as a single 130-meter mirror.

[Arthalion]

We've found lots of planets, but it's unlikely that we'll spot anything Earth-like until the Terrestrial Planet Finder launches in 2014. Note that I define "Earth-like" as any planet between .5 and 1.5 Earth masses with an atmosphere, which resides in a stable orbit within the habitable zone around an equally stable star. "Earth-like" doesn't mean life...it's likely that any planets we find will either be completely sterile, or they will have plant life completely unlike anything we've ever seen. These Star Trek shows where people stumble across planets thickly forested with redwoods and conifers are pure fantasy.

[BJClinton]

planets thickly forested with redwoods and conifers are pure fantasy.

As opposed to the ones with silicon-based life? ;-P

[SunkenCiv]

Fiction: Isaac Asimov's 'Nightfall'
http://doctord.dyndns.org:8000/Stories/Nightfall.htm

[SunkenCiv]

From July 2005. Goodnight all.

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[Larry Lucido]

All that sunlight would burn out your lawn.

[GeronL]

WOW. that sounds pretty cool

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

But it's a dry heat.

[GeronL]

Nightfall is a good story. So is Nemesis.

[Treader]

Hey Arty- please share your reliable source. Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1442360/posts?page=28#28

[MikefromOhio]

That's EXACTLY what I was thinking LOL

[Boiler Plate]

This planet gives new meaning to flex time.

[GeronL]

thanks. I saved it for reading later. I'm working on a science fiction story too, I've only got 11 pages so far though.

[Arthalion]

Heh, I love it when people drag threads out of the attic. I'm not sure what you mean by "reliable source" though. It's fairly well known that modern detection techniques aren't precise enough to detect planets as small as Earth, and the TPF will be the first instruments launched to correct that problem. Until they go up, the best we can hope for it Jupiter sized planets...perhaps Neptune if the conditions are just right.

As for the trees...anyone who understands the evolution of trees will understand why we won't be finding redwoods on another planet. I have little doubt that there is life out there, and it's likely that there's some sort of variation on the "plant" on many planets, but it's very virtually impossible that we'll find anything resembling the plants here on Earth (plants are likely simply because photosynthesis is an available and obvious source of energy, and it's hard to conceive of a planet developing life without SOMETHING taking advantage of it).

Practically every living thing on this planet is descended from the original simple plants in which DNA developed. If DNA or a functional equivalent didn't develop on another planet, you won't have any life more complex than a germ (advanced life of any sort, whether plant or animal, requires a method through which traits can be passed on). The odds that DNA would develop AND that the planet would undergo the exact climate and predator pressures needed to produce a "tree" are so remote that they make the lotto look like a sure thing comparatively.

[Treader]

Love your enthusiasm! And that is a reliable source in my small book. By all means, let's keep lookin'.