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Spitzer Telescope Discovers Planets Via Infrared

Posted by Zonk on from the earth-like-planet-in-my-sites dept.

DirtyJ writes "Astronomers using the Spitzer Space Telescope have for the first time discovered two extrasoloar planets by directly detecting light from the planets themselves. Usually planets are discovered by indirectly inferring their presence from the wobble of star they orbit, but Spitzer has been able to directly detect these objects at Infrared wavelengths. Nifty conceptual images and videos are available."

5 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Wow! by spaeschke · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    He busts corporate thieves AND stargazes!

    1. Re:Wow! by ackthpt · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      He busts corporate thieves AND stargazes!

      You fool!

      Obviously he uses the telescope to keep an eye on corporations!

      Next up Eliot Spitzer will take on Veeblefetzer, Axolotl and Potrzebie Wholesalers of NY.

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      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Spitzer telescope discovers planets... by otis+wildflower · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ... Indictments for securities fraud to follow. ;)

  3. Yeah. by game+kid · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    I never thought my state's Attorney General had a penchant for stargazing. Or naming telescopes after himself.

    --
    You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  4. Soon enough we will find habitable planets... by master_p · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    but where is the technology to take us to the stars? we need a breakthrough in Physics to take us to the stars...something like discovering what gravity really is, how to control it, and how to use it to make space warps.