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Terrestrial Planet Finder

Posted by timothy on from the idea-flagpole-getting-full dept.

solarlux writes "The Terrestrial Planet Finder has taken one step closer to reality as two architectures have been approved by NASA. The first, TPF-c, will be a single optical telescope which employs a coronograph to block starlight for planet detection. TPF-i will be a flotilla of infrared telescopes flying in formation to form a interferometer. TPF-i will analyze the planets identified by TPF-c for life signatures. The telescopes are to be launched within the next 10-15 years."

3 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Pre-history of a new religious reformation... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Once these things start piling up spectra. We could get some great surprises. Anyone wonder how things are going to change if they find a planet with a big chuck of oxygen in the atmosphere. Yet more proof that we're not quite so special :).

  2. Re:10 to 15 years by Xentax · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Glad to see everyone staying optimistic about these things!

    Some of us still want conclusive data on IF, and if so, HOW MANY Earth-like planets there are out there - on the theory that extraterrestrial life is more likely to be found if there are other worlds out there like ours (we know *this* system works, we don't know what else *might* work).

    The case for ETI is much stronger if you can show that there ARE many many Earthlike worlds in the universe, compared to the present, where we can say "there MAY be many, with this set of assumptions, or ours may be the ONLY one, if you use this other set of assumptions."

    Xentax

    --
    You shouldn't verb words.
  3. OWL by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Check out the ESO's Overwhelmingly Large Telescope .. 100 meter diameter .. resolution of 1 milliarcsecond .. should be able to image the Lunar Lander on the moon when it's built.

    http://www.eso.org/projects/owl/
    -Johan