Comments on: New Planet Spotted, Could Be Habitable

Astronomers Spot Planet Which Could Have Earth-Like Climate, Water On Surface

[ecuadoriana]

I once heard that "the true sign that there is intelligent life out in the universe is the the fact they're smart enough not to come here- and if they do, they don't stick around very long".

It's an absolute fact that we can't care for the planet we're on, yet here we are looking for other planets to screw up! We're the spoiled kid who breaks all the beautiful toys we've been given so then we go on over to the neighbour's house & break all theirs!

We've got an incredible, amazing, beautiful home right under our noses, but we're too selfish & stupid to see it or appreciate it.

[sharncedar]

"But with trillions of stars in the universe, even if only 0.1% had planets, that's still billions of planets. Earth planets are out there, it's impossible for them to not be"

Well, there is some dumb egoism professed by mucus-laden protoplasm. As if your mathematics was anything other than electric noise interchanged by cells in some collection of nerve cells.

Probability thoery doesn't mean anything, mathematics doesn't mean anything, and if there was alien life right under your nose you wouldn't even recognize it - probably cut it up and make a house out of it - like you did to the great living intelligent forests of the Pacific Northwest. Ooops, didn't recognize that intelligent life cause it didn't speak dumb animal talk - how in the bejazes would you recognize an extra-terrestial intelligence? How? It's bizarre you protoplasms don't implode from your own ignorance.

[hypnotoad72]

Well, pack up the oil rigs, beam on up to the Enterprise(tm), and warp on over there! :)

All joking aside: Whether or not it is habitable, we don't fully know. If it is, that'll help solve the population problem, the pollution problem, any number of problems.

If not, then we'll have to work harder here on Earth. But why not have hope that exists outside the realm of clever and/or preachy pedantic sci-fi/fantasy drama television?

[forthepeopl1]

DONT TELL GWB- HE WILL WANT TO PUT A BIG GWB FLAG ON IT..

[gaye5]

Guys, I wouldnt be suprised if there is life on other planets. We have to realise that it is not too long ago that people thought the earth was flat and that they were the only people on the earth/// Then they discovered that not only was there other countries but some of the people had slanted eyes, different hair and a different colour of skin, some were black, some were yellow, what a shock to the poor people who thought that they knew it all eh...

[olebd]

We're all just specks in the vast universe. And whose to say there aren't newer earths out there or civilizations that may NOT be as "advanced" as ours?

[itwasntme000]

Once the orbiting planet finding array is launched in the next five years, earth-sized planets will be locatable.
Posted by Rafterman1 at 02:45 PM : Apr 25, 2007

cool

and you are entirely correct, earth like planets have to exist out their. The sheer size of the universe is soo unbelieveable it would almost be impossible for their not to be.

[rafterman1]

"You just need to understand that size and proximity to a star and just water are not enough conditions to support complex life"

Right. But what we find now is a start. Someday there will be technology to see these planets better and look for other key traits. Ten years ago, we know of no planets. Now there are hundreds. Soon we will find small planets too. And after that, who knows. Our technology continues to grow.

[huanaco]

GREAT DISCOVERY, WHAT A WAY TO JUSTIFY THE BILLIONS SPENT IN THIS NO REWARDING CAUSE . STOP THE DREAMERS, OUR HOME IS PLANET EARTH AND HERE WE HAVE TO SPEND WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO SAVE IT.STOP THIS NONSENSE AND DEDICATE THE EFFORTS IN SOMETHING WE CAN GRASP AND FEEL, ALSO BREATHE.

[three-o-six]

Rafterman1

It is true that there are bound to be many more planents simular to earh out there -- but the need to support complex lif are many. Most planets this size attract an atmosphere too opaque for life. The need for water is just one need. The need for oceans and a moon large enough to support tides so that the oceans do not become stagnent. The list goes on -- we live on a special planet and when all the factors are added up that are required to support complex life the probabilities decrease that we can find one -- I am not saying that they are not out there -- You just need to understand that size and proximity to a star and just water are not enough conditions to support complex life.

[rafterman1]

"I think we should find some solace in the idea that our scientific friends on almost every continent, still can't seem to find another jewel in the heavens quite like earth... and we had better take good care of the one we have."

Only because we don't have the technology to find other "jewels" yet. Planets 5 times bigger than earth are the biggest we can see with current methods.

But with trillions of stars in the universe, even if only 0.1% had planets, that's still billions of planets. Earth planets are out there, it's impossible for them to not be.

Once the orbiting planet finding array is launched in the next five years, earth-sized planets will be locatable.

[prolegomena]

Back to planetary science...

I think this entire pursuit points to a very interesting divide in scientific circles over origins of life, and theories of planetary formation. It strikes me as odd that our friends who embrace a macro-evolutionary perspective on the formation of life in the universe are stuggling so desperately to find at least one empirical data point in the universe to substantiate the idea that life could occur "naturally" or randomly... while at the same time, they continue to discover in the overwhelming mass of data recovered, that our planet and the life on it are a statistical aberation of astronomical proportions (pun intended.)

I think we should find some solace in the idea that our scientific friends on almost every continent, still can't seem to find another jewel in the heavens quite like earth... and we had better take good care of the one we have.

[lars008-2009]

lars008 why do you have to inject your views about Clinton or anyone else when this is not about them. You have go to be the dumbest GOP there is.
Posted by antoniof123 at 01:28 PM : Apr 25, 2007

poor toni.... can't figure it out that i was replying to this guy whom brought up clintoon.........

Posted by jumkey at 11:39 AM : Apr 25, 2007

[mercyme884]

nd no one can change what he has in store for his people

[antoniof123]

lars008 why do you have to inject your views about Clinton or anyone else when this is not about them. You have go to be the dumbest GOP there is.

[hawksprings]

Yea Rafterman, and the American farmer is paid not to grow crops because he is too productive.

It's not so much a problem of supply, it's more a problem of distribution.

[rafterman1]

"really?? thats pretty cool if correct. and who says we are overpopulated....."

Land isn't the problem, it's food and other resources. Enough physical land, but too many people and too few resources to keep them alive.

[hawksprings]

You want to see Underpopulation?
Come to Wyoming.
We've got LOTS of wide open empty spaces. There's ranches here that are probably close to the size of Rhode Island.

As the saying goes: Come and visit, but don't stay. ;)


I've heard said that everyone on the planet could have a 1500 s.f. home and an average size lot, and the every one would fit inside Texas.

[itwasntme000]

if everyone on this planet had one square yard to stand in, everyone would fit into the state of delaware. do the math.
Posted by hmikem at 12:41 PM : Apr 25, 2007

really?? thats pretty cool if correct. and who says we are overpopulated.....

[hmikem]

if everyone on this planet had one square yard to stand in, everyone would fit into the state of delaware. do the math.