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Water Found in Exoplanet's Atmosphere

Posted by Zonk on from the so-close dept.

anthemaniac writes "Astronomers have long suspected that water should exist in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets. Now they have evidence. Water has been discovered in a planet called HD209458b, which was previously found to have oxygen. From the article: 'The discovery ... means one of the most crucial elements for life as we know it can exist around planets orbiting other stars.' But don't go looking for little green men. You might remember HD209458b as a 'hot Jupiter' that boils under the glow of its very nearby star."

4 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Criteria for Life by SuperKendall · · Score: 5, Funny

    But don't go looking for little green men. You might remember HD209458b as a 'hot Jupiter' that boils under the glow of its very nearby star."

    Where there is hot water, there are saunas. Where there are saunas, there are tourists. Thus this remote planet has life, and most likley drinks with little umbrellas (or "snotzwathctls" as the local dialect probably refers to them).

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  2. Of course! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why, just the other day I said "Hey, remember HD209458b"? and everyone was like "Oh yeah, that's the 'Hot Jupiter', right?"

    1. Re:Of course! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why, just the other day I said "Hey, remember HD209458b"? and everyone was like "Oh yeah, that's the 'Hot Jupiter', right?"
      At least it wasn't 'Great Personality Jupiter.'
  3. Aaaaaahhhhhh...... by ricky-road-flats · · Score: 5, Funny

    You might remember HD209458b as a 'hot Jupiter' that boils under the glow of its very nearby star.
    Oh, *that* HB209458b...