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Hubble Discovers an Evaporating Planet

Posted by michael on from the sublime-beauty dept.

Licensed2Hack writes "For the first time, astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have observed the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet evaporating off into space. Much of the planet may eventually disappear, leaving only a dense core. The planet is a type of extrasolar planet known as a "hot Jupiter." Spaceflightnow and Nature have the details."

3 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. We're next [?] by Marijuana+al-Shehi · · Score: 3, Funny
    Earth also has an extended atmosphere of escaping hydrogen gas, but the loss rate is much lower.

    Gulp! Would someone please define "much lower" so I can sleep again?

    --
    "I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq"
    -- Paul Wolfowitz, 7/21/2003
  2. dry planet? by Joe+the+Lesser · · Score: 4, Funny

    May I recommend core-so-soft lotion? Guaranteed to bring revitilizing atmosphere and vitaman E to itchy and dry celestial bodies.

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    "I only speak the truth"
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  3. Hide it?? by Scorchio · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is that a two mile wide ex-planetary core diamond in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me?