A distant cousin to Jupiter is found

[Robor]

Hope this isn't already posted. I looked around and didn't see it so here ya go... Link!

 

[Polo]

I just heard the info on the radio...
Now point the arecibo telescope to this star...

Thanks for the link Robor.

 

[OhioDude]

Thanks for the link, Robor.

I love the space art by Lynette Cook, too. Follow the link at the bottom for more of her paintings that theoretically depict the known planetary star systems discovered to date. Or, here's the link so you don't have to search for it...

http://extrasolar.spaceart.org/extrasol.html

 

[networkman]

It's only a matter of time until we detect life out there folks!

It doesn't even have to be intelligent - I'll settle for microbes and/or bacteria, 'cuz if those can exist, other forms may too!

EDIT: Okay, so it's not too likely that we're going to pick up an intelligent radio signal from microbes, sheesh..

 

[Evadman]

Hehe, Tahnks for making me LMAO NWM

It seems that a jupiter size world @ about the same distance as ours would fit with planitary conformaty as the knowm model.

The gasius planets are farther out as that is where the leftover gasses from the formation of the sun get tossed by gravity. Looks like finding another earth is looking better and better.

 

[MoFunk]

Wow! That is an awesome find.

 

[Assimilator1]

Cool! ,thanks for the link Robor
I particular liked the bit where they said that finding Earth size planets will just be a few years off!

 

[ICXRa]

Wow!

Nice art too OD

 

[MereMortal]

Originally posted by: Evadman

... The gasius planets are farther out as that is where the leftover gasses from the formation of the sun get tossed by gravity ...

Almost, but not quite.

While it is true that the gaseous planets would have a better chance of forming because of their distance from the Sun, it is not due to extra gas being slung outward. There is a critical mass a planet must possess in order to have enough gravity to keep lighter gases (such as hydrogen and helium) from escaping the atmosphere.

If you ascribe to the theory that the solar system was formed by the collapse of a rotating gas cloud, the collapse happens in such a way that the density is highest in the center and decreases outward. Once the central protostar forms, there will also be a sharp temperature gradient outward from the center.

This means that ices get vaporized in the inner part of the system, and only heavy grains can form to be the progenitors of protoplanets. Farther out, ices can also form, and it is easier for material to agglomerate and larger protoplanets can form---to a point. Remember that the density is also decreasing outwards, so there is less material.

It is interesting to note that the orbit of Jupiter is at the point where the average temperature is about the freezing point of water. Also note the trend for the gaseous planets to decrease in mass as you go outwards. There was most likely a 'cleansing' of material from the solar system as the protostar reached the nuclear burning phase, and as typical of very young stars, experienced a strong mass outflow (stellar wind).


(Sorry, I took an oath to correct these types of things. You don't want them to take away my keys to the executive bathroom, do you? )

 

[Confused]

Originally posted by: MereMortal
(Sorry, I took an oath to correct these types of things. You don't want them to take away my keys to the executive bathroom, do you? )

Thanks for the corrected info MM

Thanks for the link Robor, it was an interesting read

Confused