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Solar Systems Like Ours Are Likely To Be Rare

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the i-prefer-my-solar-system-medium-rare dept.

KentuckyFC writes "Astronomers have discovered some 250 planetary systems beyond our own, many of them with curious properties. In particular, our theories of planet formation are challenged by 'hot Jupiters,' gas giants that orbit close to their parent stars. Current thinking is that gas giants can only form far away from stars because gas and dust simply gets blown away from the inner regions. Now astronomers have used computer simulations of the way planetary systems form to understand what is going on (abstract). It looks as if gas giants often form a long way from stars and then migrate inwards. That has implications for us: a migrating gas giant sweeps away all in its path, including rocky planets in the habitable zone. And that means that solar systems like ours are likely to be rare."

7 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. Well, that does it... by BigDaddyOttawa · · Score: 5, Funny

    Get Bruce Willis on the phone, time to go "Armageddon" on Jupiter's ass.

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    Sig? SIG? We don't need no stinkin' sig!!!
    1. Re:Well, that does it... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      On the other hand, the rest of us wish you'd learn to spell "probability".

    2. Re:Well, that does it... by MrKaos · · Score: 5, Funny

      On the other hand, the rest of us wish you'd learn to spell "probability".

      Maybe he should use a spell chequer!!

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      My ism, it's full of beliefs.
    3. Re:Well, that does it... by Sciryl+Llort · · Score: 4, Funny

      Whatever... this is naval gazing

      # Watching the ships roll in
        And I watch 'em roll away again

        Sitting on the dock of the bay
        Watching the tide roll away.. /#
       

  2. Re:first post by The+End+Of+Days · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nothing says "sanity" like a preemptive defense.

  3. The planets may seek warmer climes in winter.. by IronClad · · Score: 4, Funny

    Are you suggesting that Jupiters migrate?

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    Incoming!

  4. Re:Rare? by blueg3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Extensive computer simulation from basic principles. Not, "well, this theory more closely matches what we've recently observed, so it's more accurate".

    Believe it or not, logical weaknesses that can be caught by the Slashdot crowd are almost always noticed by scientists. It's just that Slashdot doesn't read the articles.