The Next Big Thing In Astronomy
The smallest known planet orbiting a normal star(i.e. a main sequence star and not something like a neutron star) has been discovered:
"The team has discovered the most Earth-like planet yet,” said Michael Turner, assistant director for the mathematical and physical sciences directorate at the National Science Foundation, which supported the work.
By Earth like, they mean Earthlike compared to anything else they've detected so far. It's 5.5 times bigger than Earth and probably a cold ball of rock with little or no atmoshere.
This news comes hard on the heels of top astronomers going into Phase II of their grand search for extrasolar planets:
Based on interviews with top experts, the new era will probably last anywhere from four to six years, barring any major surprises. It may be the least glamorous of the three phases outlined by astronomers, but it is a necessary prelude to the holy grail of planet hunting: Phase III, the discovery of Earth-like planets.
This phase would begin if and when the first rocky planets are detected, places that would resemble Earth, places where liquid water exists on the surface and the temperature is conducive to life.
"That'll be the real breakthrough, when you find things that you'd actually like to own real estate on," said David Latham of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
While Phase I and II are being conducted from the ground, Phase III must wait for a new generation of space-based telescopes to be built. Last week, Latham and other top planet hunters gathered at the Carnegie Institution here to assess the status and future of their burgeoning profession.
Did you get that? Their ultimate goal is to find life-bearing planets similar to ours. What's more, they're also trying to hammer out the physics behind hyperspace and other areas.
If everything works out perfectly, we'll be visiting alien planets with their own ecosystems before the end of this century.
Keep your fingers crossed!
"The team has discovered the most Earth-like planet yet,” said Michael Turner, assistant director for the mathematical and physical sciences directorate at the National Science Foundation, which supported the work.
By Earth like, they mean Earthlike compared to anything else they've detected so far. It's 5.5 times bigger than Earth and probably a cold ball of rock with little or no atmoshere.
This news comes hard on the heels of top astronomers going into Phase II of their grand search for extrasolar planets:
Based on interviews with top experts, the new era will probably last anywhere from four to six years, barring any major surprises. It may be the least glamorous of the three phases outlined by astronomers, but it is a necessary prelude to the holy grail of planet hunting: Phase III, the discovery of Earth-like planets.
This phase would begin if and when the first rocky planets are detected, places that would resemble Earth, places where liquid water exists on the surface and the temperature is conducive to life.
"That'll be the real breakthrough, when you find things that you'd actually like to own real estate on," said David Latham of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
While Phase I and II are being conducted from the ground, Phase III must wait for a new generation of space-based telescopes to be built. Last week, Latham and other top planet hunters gathered at the Carnegie Institution here to assess the status and future of their burgeoning profession.
Did you get that? Their ultimate goal is to find life-bearing planets similar to ours. What's more, they're also trying to hammer out the physics behind hyperspace and other areas.
If everything works out perfectly, we'll be visiting alien planets with their own ecosystems before the end of this century.
Keep your fingers crossed!