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Mega-Volcanoes Might Be Detectable On Exoplanets

Posted by Soulskill on from the already-planning-a-discovery-channel-series dept.

astroengine writes "Could we detect a huge volcanic eruption on an exoplanet 30 light-years from Earth? Possibly, say scientists from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. What's more, there may be an opportunity for us to spot the ashy pollution ejected into the exoplanetary atmosphere when NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is launched in 2014. According to Discovery News, this would be a huge discovery if an Earth-like world was found to have active volcanoes: 'A geologically active terrestrial planet may be more suitable for life. It recycles crust, unleashes greenhouse gasses, opens new environmental niches, and generally provides a dynamic environment for advantageous life forms.'" According to a related story at the BBC, we should soon be able to detect the presence of oceans on distant worlds as well. The JWST will be able to resolve the reflection of light off an ocean's surface from 20-30 light-years away.

10 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. would be nice by ch-chuck · · Score: 2

    if we could detect dinosaurs

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    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
    1. Re:would be nice by mandark1967 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Have you seen Abe Vigoda lately?

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      Sig Follows: "Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain
    2. Re:would be nice by ch-chuck · · Score: 2, Funny

      Is he on an Exoplanet?

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      try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  2. Only a handful of prospects?! by rwa2 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Hmm, according to the map of the universe I have hanging on my cube ( http://www.astro.princeton.edu/universe/ ) there are just over a dozen stars closer than 30 light years (~9 parsecs). Yeah, that fact is noted in TFA as well.

    Oh, well, it's a start... there are quite a lot of stars in the 100parsec range if they can somehow refine their technique. Or maybe just move the JWST closer to the galactic center?! ;-)

    1. Re:Only a handful of prospects?! by Rolgar · · Score: 2, Insightful

      According to Wikipedia's, there are 65 stars in 50 systems within 5 parsecs: Link.

  3. Yo Mama Is So Fat by Ukab+the+Great · · Score: 4, Funny

    That's she's detectable on exoplanets.

    1. Re:Yo Mama Is So Fat by GPLDAN · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yo Mama's so ugly the Borg refused to assimilate her.

  4. Re:Greenhouse gasses by Shakrai · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't worry, I'm sure the Exoplants have at least one ex-politician that flies around in a private jet lecturing everybody else about their carbon footprint ;)

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  5. Proof of Galactic Warming? But is it AGW? by OzPeter · · Score: 2, Funny

    If they find this evidence of volcanoes it will be another nail in the coffin for AGW supporters - unless we can get Al Gore out there to prove that it really is AGW - Alienpomorphic Galactic Warming!!!

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  6. It could be a normal mega volcano or. . . by rev_sanchez · · Score: 3, Funny

    the evil galactic emperor Xenu could be dropping nuclear weapons into normal exoplanet volcanoes in an attempt to destroy the souls of brain-washed alien dissidents thereby creating exo-Thetans that will torment the future residents of said exoplanet.

    Teach the controversy!

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