Astronomers capture first images of new planets. Don't start

[Steely Dan]

Linkage

 

Astronomers capture first images of new planets

 

The first-ever pictures of planets outside our solar system were released today in two studies.

 

Using the latest techniques in space technology, astronomers at NASA and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory used direct-imaging techniques to capture pictures of four newly discovered planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.

 

"After all these years, it's amazing to have a picture showing not one but three planets," said physicist Bruce Macintosh of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California.

 

"The discovery of the HR 8799 system is a crucial step on the road to the ultimate detection of another Earth," he said.

 

None of the planets is remotely habitable, scientists said.

 

Both sets of research findings were published Thursday in Science Express, a journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

 

A team of American and British astronomers and physicists, using the Gemini North and Keck telescopes on the Mauna Kea mountaintop in Hawaii, observed host star HR8799 to find three of the new planets.

 

Scientists estimate that HR8799, roughly 1.5 times the size of the sun, is 130 light years from Earth in the constellation of Pegasus. The individual planets in this planetary family are estimated to be seven to 10 times the mass of Jupiter.

Unrelated but really cool Pics

[DrFishfinder]

Linkage

 

Astronomers capture first images of new planets

 

The first-ever pictures of planets outside our solar system were released today in two studies.

 

Using the latest techniques in space technology, astronomers at NASA and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory used direct-imaging techniques to capture pictures of four newly discovered planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.

 

"After all these years, it's amazing to have a picture showing not one but three planets," said physicist Bruce Macintosh of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California.

 

"The discovery of the HR 8799 system is a crucial step on the road to the ultimate detection of another Earth," he said.

 

None of the planets is remotely habitable, scientists said.

 

Both sets of research findings were published Thursday in Science Express, a journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

 

A team of American and British astronomers and physicists, using the Gemini North and Keck telescopes on the Mauna Kea mountaintop in Hawaii, observed host star HR8799 to find three of the new planets.

 

Scientists estimate that HR8799, roughly 1.5 times the size of the sun, is 130 light years from Earth in the constellation of Pegasus. The individual planets in this planetary family are estimated to be seven to 10 times the mass of Jupiter.

Unrelated but really cool Pics

Did NASA detect the presence of any offensive linemen?

[Steely Dan]

Did NASA detect the presence of any offensive linemen?

 

No, just linemen who are offensive. They say they are responsible for the gaseous clouds.

[GoodBye]

Cool, looks like I have a place to escape to!

[John Adams]

It would be nice if--in the story about the picture--they showed one of the pictures. I like looking at a pixel and knowing it's a planet.

[DrFishfinder]

No, just linemen who are offensive. They say they are responsible for the gaseous clouds.

and then some!

[Philly McButterpants]

I saw this story in the Buff News this Am . . . thanks for the link, Steely . . .

[molson_golden2002]

I bet we discover life on another planet a thousand years before we are ever able to travel out and meet the neighbors.

 

Space is so f'n big. Its a good name for it.

[Steely Dan]

Cool, looks like I have a place to escape to!

 

Gettin out of dem asylums is more diffycult than you're aware.