Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Molecular Basis for Life Found on Extrasolar Planet

Posted by Zonk on from the i-wonder-if-they-get-the-internet-in-space dept.

DarkProphet writes "NASA scientists have discovered the first evidence of organic molecules on an extrasolar planet. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, they detected trace amounts of methane on a swirling gas giant about 63 light-years from our own planet. Being a gas giant, there's almost no chance this discovery represents extrasolar life. A unique find, just the same. 'HD 189733b, a so-called "hot Jupiter," located 63 light years away, has proven a boon for scientists studying exoplanets. Its large size and proximity to its star mean that it dims the star's light more than any other known exoplanet. Combine that with its home star's high brightness, and scientists find that the system creates the best viewing conditions of any known extrasolar system. At different wavelengths, every atom and molecule has its own telltale footprint, so scientists can convert what are known as absorption spectra into the chemical composition of the object they're looking at.'"

3 of 89 comments (clear)

  1. just to highlight by ionix5891 · · Score: 5, Informative

    they found methane which is quite common in our solar system, its not that they found methane being present thats is the breakthrough here, its the fact that they have fine enough instruments to measure a planet ~60 light years away, this absolutely amazing! fairplay!!

    the planet in question is bigger than Jupiter and closer to its sun than mercury, so its way too hot for any life "as we know it" to survive

  2. Re:Methane - Big Deal by Leftist+Troll · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was under the impression that methane was fairly common in the Universe. For example, Uranus is full of methane.

  3. Re:Well... by AHumbleOpinion · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, we know you don't work in software. A software developer would have said "Hello world"

    Well, we know you don't use email. An email user would not expect the first communication to be "Hello there" or "Hello world", an email user would expect:

    Lagos, Nigeria, Earth.

    Attention: The President/CEO

    Dear Sir,

    CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

    Having consulted with my colleagues and based on the information gathered from the nigerian chambers of commerce and industry, I have the privilege to request for your assistance to transfer the sum of ...