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Smallest Planet Outside Our Solar System Found

Posted by Zonk on from the hard-to-spot-with-all-the-space-dust dept.

mikkl666 writes "Following the recent story about the discovery of the youngest planet outside our solar system, Spanish researchers now report that they found the smallest exoplanet observed so far. The planet, known as GJ 436c, was found by analyzing distortions in the orbit of another, larger planet, and its radius is only about 50 percent greater than the Earth's. The scientists are confident that their new method will lead to a series of further discoveries: 'I think we are very close, just a few years away, from detecting a planet like Earth.' You can also reference the the original paper online for further details."

6 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Analyzing distortions? by monkeyboythom · · Score: 5, Funny

    So you are saying that I can deduce a small child hovering around an obese parent by the way the bigger person's fat jiggles? Brilliant! Now if it only works on fat chicks, then I can discover if they have a hot, smaller female friend nearby...

    1. Re:Analyzing distortions? by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah. With chicks, it's just the opposite. The small hot ones are always orbited by larger ones.

      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    2. Re:Analyzing distortions? by Pikoro · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Follow your dreams. You can reach your goals. I'm living proof. Beefcake! BEEFCAAAAAKE!"

      --
      "Freedom in the USA is not the ability to do what you want. It is the ability to stop others from doing what THEY want"
  2. Hal Clement by jdigriz · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think we have a Mission of Gravity here. 5x the mass of earth but only 50% more radius? I for one, welcome our Mesklinite Overlords.

  3. I call it... by spazdor · · Score: 4, Funny

    'Pluto.'

    --
    DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
  4. Re:just goes to show how crazy science is by boristdog · · Score: 2, Funny

    In Star Trek's defense, they DID have to get up close to find out if there were any hot alien chicks for Kirk to make out with.