Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

50 New Exoplanets Found, Billions More Await

Posted by Soulskill on from the billions-and-billions dept.

The Bad Astronomer writes "Astronomers using a sensitive spectrograph have just announced the existence of 50 more planets orbiting nearby Sun-like stars. The important things to note: 1) Sixteen of them are super-Earths, and 2) 40% of all Sun-like stars appear to have at least one planet with less mass than Saturn."

4 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Great Super Earths. by jellomizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    That is the last thing I want to hear. All full of Life forms that are use to gravity much greater then what we are use full. If they beat us to space they will land on earth being smarter and stronger then us. I like the Old Grays small stature and wimpy. Sure they may have massive mental powers but I can really whack them hard with a big stick.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    1. Re:Great Super Earths. by Jason+Levine · · Score: 3, Funny

      Maybe they'd conquer Earth to turn it into some sort of weird alien spa. "Take a relaxing trip to Terra 3! Bask in the warming rays of Terra's star. The lighter gravity will make you feel years younger. All of your needs will be catered to by Terran slaves. We don't even mind if you break a few. We've got billions more."

      --
      My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
    2. Re:Great Super Earths. by vlm · · Score: 4, Funny

      ... the increase in gravity isn't all that much: "For example, a planet with 5 times Earth’s mass but twice the radius ...

      So, they're saying its kind of like the difference in average weight between shopping at Target vs Walmart? I guess thats OK then.

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
  2. Threat by Rik+Sweeney · · Score: 3, Funny

    The problem is that if these planets do indeed harbour life, it could be at least as technologically advanced, if not more than us. This means that they pose a threat to our planet.

    I say that we concentrate all our efforts into building space faring vehicles capable of travelling to these planets with the soul intent of destroying them. Before they destroy us.

    If you find this too ridiculous then imagine Rick Perry saying it :)

    --
    Summation 2