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Exoplanet Has Showers of Pebbles
mmmscience writes "The newly-discovered exoplanet COROT-7b has an unusual form of precipitation: rocks. Because it orbits so close to its sun, the temperature on its sun-facing side is around 4220 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hot enough for rocks to vaporize — not unlike water evaporating on Earth. And, like Earth, when the vapor cools in the upper atmosphere, it forms clouds and begins to rain. But instead of water, COROT-7b gets a shower of pebbles."
That's pretty cool, in a geeky sort of way.
I wish I could see it... but I don't think the environment would be terribly friendly to my sensitive skin.
Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
We get solid precipitation here on earth all the time.
Sometimes it's hail, sometimes sleet.
The best is frogs, though.
Thanks for the conversion...I never know what to wear when they give the temperature in Fahrenheit. Thanks to your post, though, I now know I won't need to pack a jacket while visiting this planet.
Teacher: Why are you late?
Student 1: I was throwing pebbles in the pond.
Teacher: (to student #2) Why are you late?
Student 2: I was throwing pebbles in the pond.
Teacher: (to student #3) Let me guess - you were throwing pebbles in the pond too?
Student 3: I'm Pebbles.
It is nearly impossible to imagine a deluge of pebbles falling from the sky, or turning on the morning forecast to hear reports of "rocking" instead of "raining."
Oh I can imagine it. You see dark clouds roll in, crowding around. In the distance but growing louder, the rapid heavy percussion of the rock shower begins. Then in the cloud at the front, you see a flash of light and a shower of sparks like a pyrotechnic burst. Seconds later, instead of a crash of thunder, you hear the wail of an electric guitar.
It is now rocking. Rocking hard core.
This is the awesomest planet ever.
The enemies of Democracy are
ROCKS FALL! EVERYONE DIES!
The sky is falling?
More like the ground is falling...from the sky.
With the first link, the chain is forged.
Or 2599 kelvin
Or the heat from burning 2 library's on congress.
Anyone know what it is in elephants ?
Cruise TT
"Anyone know what it is in elephants ?"
African or Indian?
So it's like Australia?
Or the heat from burning 2 library's on congress.
Do libraries burn differently on congress than anywhere else?
bite it noobs
forgot to check the AC box? noob!
Thanks,and stop calling me Kelvin
rewriting history since 2109
ow!
Best Slashdot Co
...and if you like pina coladas and getting bludgeoned in the rain...
Of course! Everything is made of Uranium on uranus, of Plutonium on Pluto, and Titanium on Titan. And Hafnium on the planet Haf, but that hasn't been discovered yet.
"The plural of anecdote is not data" -- Bruce Schneier
I now know I won't need to pack a jacket while visiting this planet.
Please yourself. But I'll be taking my tungsten jacket (melting point 3422 Celcius, 6192 Fahrenheit).
You know, the one my grandmother bought me..... with the hood and the double pleated asbestos lining? I don't care if you've never liked it and it doesn't match my shoes, I'm wearing it.
So 4220 degrees Fahrenheit is approximately 2600 degree Kelvin. Fixed it for you.
is approximately 2600 degree Kelvin
degree Kelvin
Fail. Hand in your geek card.
Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
Yep, there's so much hot air there they burn way better.
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
t of life
Here, you dropped this.
Shirley you can't be Sirius?
"Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife