Three Tiny Exoplanets Suggest Solar System Not So Special 83
ananyo writes "Adding to its already long roster of firsts, NASA's Kepler spacecraft has found the three smallest extrasolar planets ever detected — all of them smaller than Earth, and the most diminutive no larger than Mars. The newly discovered trio forms a miniature planetary system orbiting a cool, dim red dwarf star called KOI-961. Because they are so close to their star, the three exoplanets are too hot to support life. But unlike most previously known exoplanets, the vast majority of which are Jupiter-scale gas giants, all three are thought to be rocky worlds like Earth and the other worlds of the inner Solar System."
Re:Unlikely to support life (Score:5, Interesting)
While that is true, it is nearly impossible for us to determine such things right now. That's why current searches are looking for things that appear to be earth like for the simple reason that we know what to look for. Until we can find other things that we KNOW are life we can hardly begin to speculate on if we are detecting things that might be life but not as we know it. As we get more comfortable in detecting these kinds of things we'll be much much better equipped to come to conclusions for things we haven't seen.
Galaxy arms and habitable planets (Score:5, Interesting)
There is a correlation between galaxy arms and possible habitable planets. The idea is not only does the planet have to be the right size, correct distance from the star etc, but also that its location in the galaxy matters!
Apparently passing through arms of a spiral galaxy is not good for sustaining life. I guess the density of the stars and solar systems must account for that.
For a starter, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_Earth_hypothesis#The_galactic_habitable_zone [wikipedia.org]
Re:Unlikely to support life (Score:5, Interesting)
Why? TOAC had a point. A very valid point. What's funny about this is that on the same page I saw this article, I saw an article entitled "Should science rethink the definition of "Life"?". It even said "With the increase of extremophile discovery in recent years perhaps it's time to reassess what the definition of "life" should be."
And here you are arguing the poster just wants people to believe his or her viewpoint without ever countering the actual counterargument you complain about.
Ad hominem character assassination just isn't cool.