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Hubble's Exoplanet Pics Outshined by Keck's

dtolman writes "Scientists at the Keck and Gemini telescopes stole the thunder of Hubble scientists announcing the first picture of an extrasolar world orbiting a star. Hubble scientists announced today that they were able to discover an extrasolar world for the first time by taking an actual image of the newly discovered exoplanet orbiting Fomalhaut — previous discoveries have always been made by detecting changes in the parent star's movement, or by watching the planet momentarily eclipse the star — not by detecting them in images. Hubble's time to shine was overshadowed though by the Keck and Gemini observatories announcing that they had taken pictures of not just one planet, but an entire alien solar system. The images show multiple planets orbiting the star HR 8799 — 3 have been imaged so far."

9 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Colonization by Scutter · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wanna live on the left dot.

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    "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
    1. Re:Colonization by dkleinsc · · Score: 5, Funny

      If you can get there, it's yours.

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      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
  2. Re:obligatory... by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Funny

    It would be "That's no planet..."

    I wish I could mod myself (-1: Pedantic)

  3. The similarities are stunning! by need4mospd · · Score: 5, Funny

    they are massive, young, hot planets that are probably mostly gaseous and completely inhospitable. They'd get along great with my ex!

  4. Mote in God's Eye by MikeMo · · Score: 4, Funny

    no, not Sauron. That is clearly the Mote in God's Eye.

  5. Sorry by istartedi · · Score: 4, Funny

    As deed holder via the International Star Registry, that includes a deed on any planets in orbit, I forbid it. Why, there might even be rich deposits of diamelles and/or Ginsu steak knives on that planet. I'm not giving it up without a fight.

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    For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
    1. Re:Sorry by Scutter · · Score: 4, Funny

      As deed holder via the International Star Registry, that includes a deed on any planets in orbit, I forbid it. Why, there might even be rich deposits of diamelles and/or Ginsu steak knives on that planet. I'm not giving it up without a fight.

      If it's interstellar war you want, sir, it's interstellar war you shall have! Have at you!

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      "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
  6. Re:obligatory... by RiotingPacifist · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's no mod choice!

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    IranAir Flight 655 never forget!
  7. Re:Wish I could discovery something by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 5, Funny

    To "Discovery" something is easy: you just make a documentary about it that's too dumbed-down for people who like documentaries but still too boring for those who don't, and add lots of unnecessary and repetitive CG animation.

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    Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.