Potential 'Avatar' Gas Giant Exoplanet Discovered 142
Luminary Crush writes "A gas giant of approximately 1.5 Mj (Jupiter Mass) was discovered on October 22nd around the binary star system HD 176051B. It's not known with certainty which component of the binary system the planet is in orbit around at this point as both stars in HD 176051B are relatively Sol-sized (1.07 and .71 solar masses). Named 176051B b, this new exoplanet orbits within the star system's habitable zone, and if mapped onto our solar system with relative distance from our Sun it would place the large planet between Earth and Mars. While it's unlikely that such a gas giant could host life as we know it (though it's hypothesized), the location of the big planet opens up the intriguing idea of the realization of some of science fiction's famously habitable moons, Pandora and Endor. Look no further than our own solar system to see moons with the potential ingredients for life — just add heat."
Re:Intelligent life... (Score:3, Funny)
If intelligent life evolved out of a moon ecosystem where the main source of heat was tectonic stress, and the main liquid was methane or ammonia, you can bet they'd kick our ass.
...slowly.
Re:Navi and Ewoks breeding? (Score:1, Funny)
Navi = tall
Ewoks = small and furry
Navi + Ewoks = Wookiees?
It all makes sense now (Score:3, Funny)
Note, if we get an efficient engine that can keep accelerating (no "idle flight" period), it would be 60-70 years for earth-based observers, but much shorter for the crew. The speed limit of 1c is relevant to surrounding universe, but from the spaceship crew standpoints, the engine power - acceleration - speed - distance - travel time relation behaves in mostly newtonian way. If they expend power needed to travel at 10c according to newtonian mechanics, it will take (in their perception) 1/10 the time of travel at 1c to get there.
Ok... Now I understand why we haven't traveled to the stars yet.
We must overestimate the power needed, so that we can underestimate the time required.
This is opposite from all engineering projects on earth, where the final design is underpowered and delayed.
Re:how far away is it? (Score:3, Funny)