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Dusty Disc May Mean Other Earths

Posted by simoniker on from the cosmic-roomba dept.

DoraLives writes "According to the BBC, astronomers say they have evidence for Earth-like planets orbiting a nearby star. The star in question is Vega, which is nice and close (as stars go), quite young (also as stars go), and one of the brightest stars in the sky. Apparently, 'Vega has a disc of dust circling it, and at least one large planet which could sweep debris aside allowing smaller worlds like Earth to exist.' Should be interesting to keep an eye on it as the years roll by as the disk rotates and our optical powers keep growing."

5 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. Re:to bad we're looking in the past by Stradenko · · Score: 0, Redundant

    given that the star in question is ~25 light-years away, I doubt they're seeing the 5000bc-age earth....but they are seeing the late seventies, which may be even more disturbing to them.

  2. Cliche by Chris+Brewer · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I for one, welcome our new Vegan overlords...

    --
    Consultancy: If you're not part of the solution, there's money to be made in prolonging the problem
  3. Stunning by CausticWindow · · Score: 0, Redundant

    allowing smaller worlds like Earth to exist

    It's certainly a relief to learn that our planet actually can exist.

    --
    How small a thought it takes to fill a whole life
  4. Movie Contact by attobyte · · Score: 0, Redundant

    WOW, they found life on Vega in Contact. :)

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    I didn't use the preview button, so get over it!!!!

    Mike

  5. What do you call someone from Vega? by smart.id · · Score: 0, Redundant

    A Vegan?

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    blog & fiction: jd87