Exoplanet Reports Exaggerated

The Bad Astronomer writes "The reports of the first direct picture of an exoplanet are misleading. The real news is that an image of a probable exoplanet taken in 2008 using a telescope in Hawaii have been confirmed — it's a planet. In fact, exoplanets have been directly imaged before; the first was in 2005. More images of other planets were released in 2008. To be specific: this new planet is the first to be directly imaged orbiting a sun-like star using observations made from the ground. That's actually still quite a technological achievement, but don't be misled by hyperbolic headlines."

Comments

This is /.

[sribe]

...but don't be misled by hyperbolic headlines.

Uhm yeah, we're pretty much at the wrong site for that advice...

Re:This is /.

[sribe]

Actually, isn't Slashdot the perfect place for such a warning? You put "Watch for crossing deer" signs near places where deer cross frequently, not where it seldom happens!

Good point. I cede to you superior word skills ;-)

Pot and the fucking kettle

[Anonymous Coward]

"Don't be misled by hyperbolic headlines."

Unless it's on /.

Re:Pot and the fucking kettle

[Anonymous Coward]

something Soviet something something, something something exoplanet headlines something something you!

Periscopic Photographs

[PurpleCarrot]

Waiting for the first photograph of an exoplanet from an underwater observatory. And you though atmospheric refraction was a pain on land!

Exaggerated

[dimethylxanthine]

Exoplanet Reports Exaggerated

Well yeaaahh - did you see the original picture? Glad that got cleared up :)

That being said, it did provide some great amusement value too: image

Re:The summary is actually perfectly fine

[Chris Burke]

I'll forgive you then, since after all if I was on the jury for your murder trial I'd let you off with the "lack of coffee defense".