The planet orbits a dim red dwarf star 20 light years from Earth called Gliese 581. Four planets were already known around the star, with two lying near the inner and outer edges of the habitable zone, where liquid water – and therefore potentially life – could exist on its surface.
One of those, which travels on a 13-day orbit, seems too hot for liquid water. The other, on a 67-day orbit, may be just warm enough for liquid water, but its status is not completely settled, says Kasting. Opinions "may continue to swing back and forth because it is hovering right near the outer edge", he says.
The newly found "Goldilocks" planet, called Gliese 581 g, lies in between the hot and cold ones. "You're smack dab in the middle of the habitable zone, so that's perfect," says Kasting, who has studied the two planets on the zone's edges.
quote:
Conditions on the planet would be very different from those on Earth. The host star is a low-mass red dwarf that is just 1 per cent as bright as the sun.
Because it puts out so little light and warmth, its habitable zone lies much closer in than does the sun's. At such tight distances, planets in the zone experience strong gravitational tugs from the star that probably slow their rotation over time, until they become "locked" with one side always facing the star, just as the moon always keeps the same face pointed towards Earth.
Vernon Wanderer
It's just around the corner... :eek:
But still far too far away.
jupiterone
reading/thinking about stuff like this is awesome. so exciting when you think about the different forms of life and vegetation that could exist on a habitable planet. not to mention be able to step foot on a world that hasn't been raped by mankind
bas
quote:
Originally posted by jupiterone
reading/thinking about stuff like this is awesome. so exciting when you think about the different forms of life and vegetation that could exist on a habitable planet. not to mention be able to step foot on a world that hasn't been raped by mankind
Plus it means that one of my all time favorite animes, Venus Wars, could come true. Huzzah!
couch-potato
quote:
Originally posted by bas
Plus it means that one of my all time favorite animes, Venus Wars, could come true. Huzzah!
Another to add to the list :mad:
jupiterone
quote:
Originally posted by bas
Plus it means that one of my all time favorite animes, Venus Wars, could come true. Huzzah!
i believe we should start building a ship that travels faster than the speed of light so culprit can be the first record label AND civilization of man kind to influence this planet. we could jumpstart good music from the get go
i am already working on the schematics and blueprint
bas
quote:
Originally posted by jupiterone
i believe we should start building a ship that travels faster than the speed of light so culprit can be the first record label AND civilization of man kind to influence this planet. we could jumpstart good music from the get go
i am already working on the schematics and blueprint
Fantastic, I'll get working on our opening act.
Hint:
jupiterone
quote:
Originally posted by bas
Fantastic, I'll get working on our opening act.
Hint:
exactly what i was hoping to hear. we can also start slavery, as if those ******s know of abe lincoln or the constitution. they'll become the best dj's/engineers ever known, but we'd get 98% of the money and 100% of the women and drugs. the other 2% would to to the rest. i'm thinking a strict 5 cents an hour
couch-potato
5 cents is overkill. We'll just make up a new currency...space cash, anyone?
