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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."

10 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 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.
  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!

  3. 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.

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

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  5. 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?
  6. 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 Russ Humphreys proposed that the plants were originally made of water, and made very accurate predictions of their magnetic fields based upon that theory.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.
  7. 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 Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      How does one "weigh" a planet or star? Where do you put the scale? Underneath it, duh.
  8. All these worlds are yours except Europa. by Weaselmancer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Attempt no landings there.

    --
    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.