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Ocean Planets on the Brink of Detection

Posted by Zonk on from the look-for-mon-cal-first dept.

ZonkerWilliam writes "It seems, at least theoretically, that there may be 'ocean planets' out there in the galaxy. If there are, we are closer than ever to detecting them. The formation of such planets is fairly likely, reports the PhysOrg article, despite the lack of an obvious example in our own solar system. We may have a former ocean planetoid in the neighborhood, orbiting the planet Jupiter: the moon Europa. These water worlds are the result of system formation castoffs, gas giant wannabes that never grew large enough. If any of these intriguing object exist nearby, the recently launched CoRoT satellite will be the device we use to see it. The article explains some of the science behind 'ocean worlds', as well as the new technology we'll use to find them."

30 of 159 comments (clear)

  1. On these planets by Ice+Wewe · · Score: 5, Funny

    And on these ocean planets we shall find cloners. And when we find these cloners, we shall find the clone army. Long live the Jedi!

    1. Re:On these planets by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 2, Funny

      "If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If oxygen, that means we can breathe." -- Dan Quayle

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
    2. Re:On these planets by peragrin · · Score: 4, Funny

      >>Its as if millions of mp3 players cried out a Britney song and were suddenly silenced.

      You say that like it's a bad thing.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
    3. Re:On these planets by Thuktun · · Score: 3, Funny

      You really have to feel sorry for poor Quayle. He was (*is*) actually an intelligent fellow. MOUSEBENDER: It's not much of a cheese shop, is it?
      WENSLEYDALE: Finest in the district, sir.
      MOUSEBENDER: Explain the logic underlying that conclusion, please.
      WENSLEYDALE: Well, it's so clean, sir.
      MOUSEBENDER: It's certainly uncontaminated by cheese.
    4. Re:On these planets by tyme · · Score: 2, Funny
      AKAImBatman wrote:
      you really have to feel sorry for poor Quayle. He was (*is*) actually an intelligent fellow.
      I suppose that depends on the what the definition of "is" is.
      --
      just a ghost in the machine.
    5. Re:On these planets by Warg!+The+Orcs!! · · Score: 3, Funny

      or we may find Kevin Costner on a raft. I'm not sure which one is scarier.

      --
      Travelling forward in time at a rate of 1 second per second.
  2. Just the facts by flynt · · Score: 4, Funny

    It seems, at least theoretically, that there may be 'ocean planets' out there in the galaxy. If there are, we are closer than ever to detecting them.

    Nice to start the summary off with not just one, but *two* tautologies!

    1. Re:Just the facts by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nice to start the summary off with not just one, but *two* tautologies!

      Yeah, but the failed to mention that every day we move closer toward the future!

      --
      Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    2. Re:Just the facts by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 3, Funny

      You have to admit, it's better than two oxymorons.

      --
      Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
  3. For all our sake... by Dark+Kenshin · · Score: 2, Funny

    I really hope they don't find any of them. If they do, we'll have hundreds of water world remakes and the level of pain that would bring is too much to bare.

    --
    "I only know 2 things: The love for me, and the fear of me."
  4. A better name for the craft... by countSudoku() · · Score: 2, Funny

    CRo T. Satellite

    Of course, on said ocean planets inhabited by cetaceans one could exclaim:

    "Admiral, there be whales here."

    --
    This is the NSA, we're gonna geet U h@x0r5! Also, what is a h@x0r5?
  5. The Good News... by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Funny

    With global warming, we will have plenty of practice on surviving an "ocean" world when it comes time to send ships out to colonize these strange, new worlds.

  6. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  7. No ocean planets in our own solar system... by wile_e_wonka · · Score: 4, Funny

    The formation of such planets is fairly likely, reports the PhysOrg article, despite the lack of an obvious example in our own solar system.
    Ummm...what about EARTH?
    1. Re:No ocean planets in our own solar system... by wile_e_wonka · · Score: 2, Funny

      Just after writing this I actually RTFA and felt a bit stupid. I had wondered why more commenters had picked up on the whole "Earth" thing. Judging from the fact my comment got modded up (so far, anyway), it goes to show some of the moderators don't RTFA either.

  8. but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'm willing to bet these ocean planets are infested with sharks, alien sharks, alien sharks with lasers on their frickin' heads.

      -AC for a reason.

  9. Pilotless airplane! by stoolpigeon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Drone! Drone!

    (sorry can't hear the word tautology without thinking about that guy)

    --
    It's hard to believe that's how Micronians are made. Why don't we see it right now by having you both kiss one another?
  10. Was predicted a while ago by bendodge · · Score: 5, Funny

    Before the Voyager got to Uranus and Neptune, Dr. Russ Humphreys proposed that the plants were originally made of water, and made very accurate predictions of their magnetic fields based upon that theory.

    Look under the section "Water: The Raw Material of Creation" *tranquilizers recommended* http://creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/21/21_3/ 21_3.html

    (Please be sure to actually read is before axing my karma.)

    --
    The government can't save you.
  11. Nothing like Water World, here's why: by spun · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's like water world. Only IRL.

    No, allow me to explain:

    These things have to weigh less than 10 times what the Earth weighs, or they will become gas giants. Our sun weighs 332,946 times as much as the Earth. Only objects weighing at least three times as much as our Sun can turn into black holes. Only a black hole can suck as hard as Water World. Therefore, these water planets are nothing like Water World.

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
    1. Re:Nothing like Water World, here's why: by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 3, Funny

      These things have to weigh less than 10 times what the Earth weighs, or they will become gas giants. Our sun weighs 332,946 times as much as the Earth.

      How does one "weigh" a planet or star? Where do you put the scale?

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
    2. Re:Nothing like Water World, here's why: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      How does one "weigh" a planet or star? Where do you put the scale? Underneath it, duh.
    3. Re:Nothing like Water World, here's why: by SVDave · · Score: 2, Funny

      How does one "weigh" a planet or star? Where do you put the scale?
      On the back of the topmost turtle turtle.

    4. Re:Nothing like Water World, here's why: by Agripa · · Score: 2, Funny

      How does one "weigh" a planet or star? Where do you put the scale?

      Just borrow Archimedes' Lever.

  12. All these worlds are yours except Europa. by Weaselmancer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Attempt no landings there.

    --
    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.
  13. First Glance by Camel+Pilot · · Score: 2, Funny

    I first read the title as:

    "Ocean Planets on the Brink of Destruction"

    Oh my... were screwing up those too huh?

  14. World by alexj33 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Maybe we will someday find such a world- a peaceful pastoral world without war; a world without hate.

    Then I can picture us attacking that world, 'cause they'd never suspect it.

  15. They are on the way to detection. by CelticWhisper · · Score: 3, Funny

    They have no chance to hide make their time.

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    Help protect civil rights from abuse by the TSA - visit TSA News Blog.
    http://www.tsanewsblog.com
  16. Find and complete Water World... by countSudoku() · · Score: 2, Funny

    then Ice World, Fire World, Forest World and Cave World, then fight the big boss, view the crappy finale video and bask in the glory of a game well played.

    --
    This is the NSA, we're gonna geet U h@x0r5! Also, what is a h@x0r5?
  17. What about desert planets? by Rheingold · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd rather find desert planets... only there will we find the Spice.

    Wil

    --
    Wil
    wiki
  18. Re:Time to get my geek on. by Lendrick · · Score: 2, Funny

    In that case, of course, her mass isn't negligible compared to yours, unless one or both of you have a serious eating disorder. :)