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First Exoplanet Atmospheres Analyzed

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-smell-of-exoplanets-in-the-morning dept.

deblau writes "NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured for the first time enough light from planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, to identify signatures of individual molecules in their atmospheres. The landmark achievement is a significant step toward being able to detect possible life on rocky exoplanets and comes years before astronomers had anticipated."

10 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. EPA by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Shit! They are all polluted also.

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    Table-ized A.I.
  2. they can read the fine print by User+956 · · Score: 3, Funny

    NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has captured for the first time enough light from planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, to identify signatures of individual molecules in their atmospheres.

    Jesus. If they can see that far out, imagine what they can see when they look straight down.

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    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
    1. Re:they can read the fine print by flyingsquid · · Score: 3, Funny
      Jesus. If they can see that far out, imagine what they can see when they look straight down.


      NASA says that if you don't stop doing you-know-what, you're going to go blind.

  3. Re:they have to replace pluto by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    they just have to replace pluto as a planet so they dont have to change every textbook ever made

    That newly-arrived large ominous black orb with the giant satellite dish embedded in it may qualify.

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    Table-ized A.I.
  4. So Our First Sign of Extraterrestrial Civilization by Phrogman · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... will be when we discover a planet with a huge hole in its ozone layer? :P

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    "The first time I got drunk, I got married. The second time I bought a chimpanzee, after that I stayed sober" Arian Seid
  5. Alien Infiltration? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The theorists' heads were spinning when they saw the data," said Dr. Jeremy Richardson of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Better have some xenobiologists check those guys out. Or a priest.
  6. Re:they have to replace pluto by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Funny

    That newly-arrived large ominous black orb with the giant satellite dish embedded in it may qualify. Cartman became black?!?
  7. Re:I for one by Original+Replica · · Score: 3, Funny

    Our exoplanetary overlords don't want our water. What would a sentient cloud of silicon crystals want with H2O? They are just trying to figure out if the silicon chips of our planet are willing to sell a few of their pet waterbags. (that's us)

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    We are all just people.
  8. Nah, Just add a sticker... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    This textbook contains material on the planet Pluto. Classification of Pluto as planet is a theory, not a fact. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.

  9. Maybe they're using the Smelloscope by Dachannien · · Score: 3, Funny

    Professor Farnsworth: Now, we all know telescopes allow us to see distant objects. But what if we want to smell distant objects? Well, now we can! Thanks to my new invention: the Smelloscope. The odor travels past this coffee stain here, around the olive pit, and into this cigar burn. And this appears to be a doodle of myself as a cowboy. But the Smelloscope is brilliant, I tell you! Think of the astronomical odors you'll smell, thanks to me.