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First Organic Molecules Found on Alien World

Galactic_grub writes "The detection of planet HD 189733b is in some ways just another small victory for extra-solar planetary science. It is too hot for there to be anything 'alive'. Just the same, somewhere on the planet are trace amounts of the gas methane. The fact that the element was detected at all offers hope for understanding future discoveries of Earth-like worlds, says NewScientistSpace. Researchers from Caltech and University College London used the Hubble Space Telescope to peer at the planet and examined spectral signature of starlight filtered by the planet's atmosphere, to identify different chemicals. 'The authors suggest that some ill-understood chemical process might be responsible, either concentrating the methane in cooler parts of the atmosphere, or generating extra methane directly. Alternatively, the methane might simply mean that the planet happens to be very rich in carbon.'"

6 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Yet another step closer to my goal by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    One day I'm gonna bang me a green chick.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Yet another step closer to my goal by radarsat1 · · Score: 5, Funny

      With that kind of mouth, it'll certainly happen before "you bang you" an earth girl.

    2. Re:Yet another step closer to my goal by MBGMorden · · Score: 4, Funny

      Aren't we all going to be pissed if we finally find the green chicks one day and they're only interested in jocks and weightlifters?

      --
      "People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
  2. Test of Faith by Psiren · · Score: 5, Funny

    Meh, I'm positive that the FSM put it there, to test our faith in his noodly appendages. Life on another planet?! Preposterous!

    1. Re:Test of Faith by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      HD 189733b is a graphic illustration of the fate of any planet that fails to maintain a sufficient population of pirates.

      --
      ____

      ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

  3. Please... by Joseph1337 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please no more overlords, my back fucking hurts from the whip with those we got now...