Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Transit Method Reveals Many Extrasolar Planets

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the through-the-looking-glass dept.

eldavojohn writes "You might recall not too long ago the first photo of an extra solar planet or, more recently, the mapping & speculation on these planets that lie outside our own solar system. Long since those first few spotted in the 90s, we're now starting to find them in droves due to the popularity of a method that relies on the planet passing directly between the viewer on earth and the star that it orbits. Be sure to check out Space.com's list of the most interesting extra-solar planets. Will we ever find Earth 2.0 candidates?"

5 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Yes by nizo · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Will we ever find Earth 2.0 candidates?


    Of course; space is big and there are bound to be tons of great planets out there. I just hope there is no one already living on our soon to be discovered new colony planet so we can move in quicker.

    --
    I Am My Own Worst Enemy
  2. Re:Will we ever find Earth 2.0 candidates? by ls+-la · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yes, as long as we don't kill ourselves first. Better hurry up and colonize other planets.
  3. I'm not sure how serious you're being by benhocking · · Score: 5, Interesting

    However, they do plan on looking for signs of molecular oxygen in the atmospheres of some of these planets. Molecular oxygen is chemically unstable, so its presence is usually considered to be an excellent indicator of life. Not perfect, as it might not be necessary or sufficient, but it's the best method we have right now for detecting M-class planets.

    --
    Ben Hocking
    Need a professional organizer?
  4. Re:perhaps not so lucky by jae471 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It should be noted that out the Sun's axis of rotation (and that of the major planets) is NOT with the galactic plane. We can see them, but they can't see us...

  5. Re:perhaps not so lucky by Hays · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In any case then, the next question is if the solar systems in our galaxy mainly orbit in the plane of the galaxies rotation. I'd assume so.

    They don't. See http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?numb er=633

    Our own Solar system is not at all aligned with the galaxy. If it were, the milky way would appear more east-west in the night sky, especially during the equinox.