Kepler Telescope finds 5 Planets

[Jimbeaux]

Sorry is this is a repost; very exciting, and so soon after launch:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefair/2010/01/nasa...

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/100104-aas-k...

[chris watton]

Ah, they've been found! I have told them time and time again, don't go wandering off!

Seriously though, very interesting stuff.

[Eric Mc]

Good early result but nothing too dramatic just yet. I'm waithing for the first earth sized planet to be picked up.

[Jimbeaux]

Is this telescope orbiting or heading off on a course?

[jmorgan]

Not in Orbit. Trailing Earth if memory serves me.

http://kepler.nasa.gov/

Looks different to the last time I checked in before christmas. Might be two sites, not unknown, NASA page and a dedicated mission site? Other link is on me laptop. Will look it up later.

[Eric Mc]

Technically, it is orbiting the sun, rather than the earth.

[Jimbeaux]

Eric Mc said:

Technically, it is orbiting the sun, rather than the earth.

Got it; thanks!

[Ayahuasca]

If we can see them, then they can see us!


"No-one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinized, as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. Few men even considered the possibility of life on other planets. And yet, across the gulf of space, minds immeasurably superior to ours regarded this earth with envious eyes; and slowly, and surely, they drew their plans against us."

[hornet]

Interesting stuff, although I'm curious that most of the extra-solar planets we're finding seem to be gas giants very close to the parent star. Is that just due to the technology we currently have being more likely to find that sort of planet at the moment, or is there something unusual about the distribution of the plants in the solar system with the gas giants further out?

[jmorgan]

Down to the technology and circumstances, size of star etc.
http://kepler.nasa.gov/Science/KeplerScience/depen...

Just that bigger planets are easier to detect as they obstruct a bigger portion of light compared to smaller planets. Give it time.

Edit. Worth a look in here
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/

Edited by jmorgan on Monday 11th January 19:23

[Jimbeaux]

jmorgan said:

Down to the technology and circumstances, size of star etc.
http://kepler.nasa.gov/Science/KeplerScience/depen...

Just that bigger planets are easier to detect as they obstruct a bigger portion of light compared to smaller planets. Give it time.

Edit. Worth a look in here
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/

Edited by jmorgan on Monday 11th January 19:23

Excellent site; thanks for that.

[Parrot of Doom]

hornet said:

Interesting stuff, although I'm curious that most of the extra-solar planets we're finding seem to be gas giants very close to the parent star. Is that just due to the technology we currently have being more likely to find that sort of planet at the moment, or is there something unusual about the distribution of the plants in the solar system with the gas giants further out?

Planets with larger orbits need longer observation times to detect.

[jmorgan]

Aye, Jupiter around 12 years for an Orbit and Neptune around 164 years and Kepler is slated for four years operation with a two year extension if needed. Of course closer in the quicker but also if the planet orbit is in our line of sight with the sun being observed. They may be fortunate to see the longer orbit planets that will take longer to pass. But with the time for the Kepler scope being so short there will not be follow up observations from Kepler to confirm the planet. Then there is the gas giants in an orbit that is the habitual zone for that star, ruling out a planet that can have life. Scratch it off the list for ET. All good fun.

Also
http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?...

[Spiritual_Beggar]

So other than;

Chewy, Crispy, & Soft

What are the two new planets?

[Eric Mc]

I reckion one should be called Pandora - and inhabited by 10 foot tall blue humanoids.

[jmorgan]

I think they should get a bit more inventive, get the infant schools to vote on their preferences. And live by the result. Any aliens taking umbrage can come an tell us in person.

Until then
http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/atlas/atlas_search...

[Einion Yrth]

Eric Mc said:

I reckion one should be called Pandora - and inhabited by 10 foot tall blue humanoids.

Pandora would have to be the moon of one of the giants I believe.

[Eric Mc]

Einion Yrth said:

Eric Mc said:

I reckion one should be called Pandora - and inhabited by 10 foot tall blue humanoids.

Pandora would have to be the moon of one of the giants I believe.

You've opened up a whole Pandora's Box there