Hardly, but stuff like this is an awesome reminder of how much it really does just grind your face in it.
I think the most overtly depressing thing I ever saw EVER about the universe in general was on this one Science Channel show.
Basically there is a planet with an elliptical orbit. On it's farthest pass it went as far out as Mars, on the way back past the sun it kamikaze's closer than Mercury and completely melts into a glob of lava just to solidify again on it's way out. The worst part? because of the star and the planet's orbit, the thing does this like 4 times per Earth Year.
Even if life did spontaneously spring up over night, it would be charbroiled in months. It's like the cosmic version of falling down an up escalator. Just wish I could remember the designation that it had.
All of reality is a bit on the depressing side. There is far more empty void than there are material objects in this universe. Even items, which appear solid to us, are primarily empty space. The abyss quite literally permeates every bit of our existence, constantly nipping at us on our own entropic paths to our inevitable ends.
The abyss quite literally permeates every bit of our existence, constantly nipping at us on our own entropic paths to our inevitable ends.*
* according to "common knowledge" developed in the most recent 0.1% of humanity's existence....
Don't despair over what "everyone knows to be true" this decade. Remember that the Earth was flat a few generations ago. We have no right to make definitive statements about the nature of the universe, only guesses from a very limited set of data.
Well, one could also say the cosmos is full of stuff, as cosmic radiation permeates everything. There are photons and neutrinos and possibly even gravitons flying everywhere!
Though I bet they hate us. I mean, Neutrinos, they barely even interact with us, and photons and gravitons constantly bump into as and drag or push us around.
Looking at it like that - plants live on spite. "I know you photons hate us, that'S why you hit us all the time and try to burn us, but you know what - It just makes us stronger!"
As the article mentions that this is the first rocky planet discovered thus far. So far, all the other planets discovered have all been gas giants or giants of indeterminate materials. It's only a matter of time before we find a planet capable of supporting some kind of life (probably a lot closer than we think...)
As the article mentions that this is the first rocky planet discovered thus far. So far, all the other planets discovered have all been gas giants or giants of indeterminate materials. It's only a matter of time before we find a planet capable of supporting some kind of life (probably a lot closer than we think...)
Actually it's the first rocky planet discovered by that particular satellite (Kepler) Others have been found inthe past by other means. Like the small rocky worlds of the Gliese 581 system
*Don't despair over what "everyone knows to be true" this decade. Remember that the Earth was flat a few generations ago. We have no right to make definitive statements about the nature of the universe, only guesses from a very limited set of data.
and this is why I will always love you... like a sister.. ^_^
And so the tradition continues. Every thread I start ends in this horrible backslide into an anti-Hort revolt. Part of me should be ashamed, but that part instead says GET THE TOUCAN!
* according to "common knowledge" developed in the most recent 0.1% of humanity's existence....
Don't despair over what "everyone knows to be true" this decade. Remember that the Earth was flat a few generations ago. We have no right to make definitive statements about the nature of the universe, only guesses from a very limited set of data.
And so the tradition continues. Every thread I start ends in this horrible backslide into an anti-Hort revolt. Part of me should be ashamed, but that part instead says GET THE TOUCAN!
Sometimes, I don't even post in them and they still turn out that way.
Actually, the idea of people thinking the earth was flat is another myth.
Interesting. I didn't know there was a conspiracy surrounding it. It reminds me of modern efforts to remove evolution from school textbooks. :rolleyes:
Anyway... the point was that we shouldn't jump to conclusions is all. The universe might just be a giant space hamster that's been exhaling for the last 20,000 years...
Actually it's the first rocky planet discovered by that particular satellite (Kepler) Others have been found inthe past by other means. Like the small rocky worlds of the Gliese 581 system
I wouldn't call those 'small'. The 'smallest' of the Gliese 581 planets that are thought to be within its goldilocks zone, g, is theorethical only, its existence not proven, and it comes in at four times the mass of Earth. That's four times the gravity of Earth. Landing there won't be too hard, but coming up again might prove a bit more difficult than it was back in the good old days on the Moon. The capsule they took off in probably wouldn't even have raised off of its platform if they'd fired it up on Earth. Gliese 581 c and d are believed to be somewhere between five and six times Earth's mass. I don't expect whoever has to go down and plant that flag to ever come up again. And even if we could, and there was some form of life (vegetation, animal) there, building anything permanent is made a lot harder as construction materials need to be a lot lighter and/or stronger than on Earth just to bear their own weight. At 5 times Earth's gravity, average Joe's heart probably won't be able to keep that spongy thing behind his eyes supplied with freshly oxygenated blood, so Joe'll pass out, fall and pick up a lot more speed on the way down than he would on Earth and probably kill himself or at least break some bones no matter how he lands...
I wouldn't call those 'small'. The 'smallest' of the Gliese 581 planets that are thought to be within its goldilocks zone, g, is theorethical only, its existence not proven, and it comes in at four times the mass of Earth. That's four times the gravity of Earth. Landing there won't be too hard, but coming up again might prove a bit more difficult than it was back in the good old days on the Moon. The capsule they took off in probably wouldn't even have raised off of its platform if they'd fired it up on Earth. Gliese 581 c and d are believed to be somewhere between five and six times Earth's mass. I don't expect whoever has to go down and plant that flag to ever come up again. And even if we could, and there was some form of life (vegetation, animal) there, building anything permanent is made a lot harder as construction materials need to be a lot lighter and/or stronger than on Earth just to bear their own weight. At 5 times Earth's gravity, average Joe's heart probably won't be able to keep that spongy thing behind his eyes supplied with freshly oxygenated blood, so Joe'll pass out, fall and pick up a lot more speed on the way down than he would on Earth and probably kill himself or at least break some bones no matter how he lands...
I say we keep looking. :cool:
Well Super Earths are little when compared to the Super Jupiters whipping around their staar in 3 to 4 days, ( I don't buy that, no matter what the Astronomer I used to date says). The image of a giant jupiter like planet going around it's star that quickly without it's losing it's atmosphere just doesn't form right in my mind's eye.
How long until this one is laughed and and told it isn't a planet anymore? A year? two? a century? I will call none planets until the scientific community makes up it's mind. Till then they are all rocks. grrrrrr
How long until this one is laughed and and told it isn't a planet anymore? A year? two? a century? I will call none planets until the scientific community makes up it's mind. Till then they are all rocks. grrrrrr
It's supposedly slightly bigger than Earth (1.4 times larger if I recall the article correctly) so it's pretty safe, I think. Apparently, anything smaller than Mercury not orbiting another planet is a planetoid - or whatever.
The discovery of a 'rocky' planet orbiting a distant star is an enormous technical achievement by NASA scientist. We, who are jaded by the exploits of our Sci-fi opera heroes, often give little reconciliation to such discoveries. Our heroes warp around this expansive galaxy with little care for either the energies and the science required for the adventure or the actual distances covered in such a journey. I think the discover is amazing and we are one step closer to actually finding a distant planet capable of sustaining life as we know it.
How long until this one is laughed and and told it isn't a planet anymore? A year? two? a century? I will call none planets until the scientific community makes up it's mind. Till then they are all rocks. grrrrrr
The one thing that bothers me about the current definition of a planet is the whole "Cleared their orbital path bit" If you truly look at what's flying around inthe solar system you'd realize that nothing has really REALLY cleared their orbital paths completely. Even if you take out asteroids and comets. Any planet with a Moon hasn't technically cleared it's orbital path. That leaves Mercury as the lone planet in teh solar system (minus counting asteroids/comets)
Hardly, but stuff like this is an awesome reminder of how much it really does just grind your face in it.
I think the most overtly depressing thing I ever saw EVER about the universe in general was on this one Science Channel show.
Basically there is a planet with an elliptical orbit. On it's farthest pass it went as far out as Mars, on the way back past the sun it kamikaze's closer than Mercury and completely melts into a glob of lava just to solidify again on it's way out. The worst part? because of the star and the planet's orbit, the thing does this like 4 times per Earth Year.
Even if life did spontaneously spring up over night, it would be charbroiled in months. It's like the cosmic version of falling down an up escalator. Just wish I could remember the designation that it had.
See i think opposite to that, such a thing would be beautiful to behold. The only thing depressing about it is that i'll never get to see it as anything more than a computer rendering.
There's a lot out there in space to get excited about without requiring life.
Comments
....and you've JUST noticed?
lol
Hardly, but stuff like this is an awesome reminder of how much it really does just grind your face in it.
I think the most overtly depressing thing I ever saw EVER about the universe in general was on this one Science Channel show.
Basically there is a planet with an elliptical orbit. On it's farthest pass it went as far out as Mars, on the way back past the sun it kamikaze's closer than Mercury and completely melts into a glob of lava just to solidify again on it's way out. The worst part? because of the star and the planet's orbit, the thing does this like 4 times per Earth Year.
Even if life did spontaneously spring up over night, it would be charbroiled in months. It's like the cosmic version of falling down an up escalator. Just wish I could remember the designation that it had.
* according to "common knowledge" developed in the most recent 0.1% of humanity's existence....
Don't despair over what "everyone knows to be true" this decade. Remember that the Earth was flat a few generations ago. We have no right to make definitive statements about the nature of the universe, only guesses from a very limited set of data.
Though I bet they hate us. I mean, Neutrinos, they barely even interact with us, and photons and gravitons constantly bump into as and drag or push us around.
Looking at it like that - plants live on spite. "I know you photons hate us, that'S why you hit us all the time and try to burn us, but you know what - It just makes us stronger!"
But I kid.
Actually it's the first rocky planet discovered by that particular satellite (Kepler) Others have been found inthe past by other means. Like the small rocky worlds of the Gliese 581 system
Well aren't YOU a ball of sunshine?!!
and this is why I will always love you... like a sister.. ^_^
:eek: Oh God, did hort just get a girlfriend? Quick, someone check to see if it's snowing in hell yet!
And for the record, I did see the black text - I just can't resist the opportunity to puncture hort's balloon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myth_of_the_Flat_Earth
Actually, the idea of people thinking the earth was flat is another myth.
While I don't necessarily enjoy providing Wikipedia as a source, it does sum it up nicely! ^.^
Can I borrow some beads, sis? I wanna make something....
Sometimes, I don't even post in them and they still turn out that way.
Interesting. I didn't know there was a conspiracy surrounding it. It reminds me of modern efforts to remove evolution from school textbooks. :rolleyes:
Anyway... the point was that we shouldn't jump to conclusions is all. The universe might just be a giant space hamster that's been exhaling for the last 20,000 years...
I wouldn't call those 'small'. The 'smallest' of the Gliese 581 planets that are thought to be within its goldilocks zone, g, is theorethical only, its existence not proven, and it comes in at four times the mass of Earth. That's four times the gravity of Earth. Landing there won't be too hard, but coming up again might prove a bit more difficult than it was back in the good old days on the Moon. The capsule they took off in probably wouldn't even have raised off of its platform if they'd fired it up on Earth. Gliese 581 c and d are believed to be somewhere between five and six times Earth's mass. I don't expect whoever has to go down and plant that flag to ever come up again. And even if we could, and there was some form of life (vegetation, animal) there, building anything permanent is made a lot harder as construction materials need to be a lot lighter and/or stronger than on Earth just to bear their own weight. At 5 times Earth's gravity, average Joe's heart probably won't be able to keep that spongy thing behind his eyes supplied with freshly oxygenated blood, so Joe'll pass out, fall and pick up a lot more speed on the way down than he would on Earth and probably kill himself or at least break some bones no matter how he lands...
I say we keep looking. :cool:
Well Super Earths are little when compared to the Super Jupiters whipping around their staar in 3 to 4 days, ( I don't buy that, no matter what the Astronomer I used to date says). The image of a giant jupiter like planet going around it's star that quickly without it's losing it's atmosphere just doesn't form right in my mind's eye.
Just looking for a reaction.
Some look into the abyss and fear it, I look to it and see opportunity.
It's supposedly slightly bigger than Earth (1.4 times larger if I recall the article correctly) so it's pretty safe, I think. Apparently, anything smaller than Mercury not orbiting another planet is a planetoid - or whatever.
Since when did it require the presence of a Ferengi to recognize opportunity.
The one thing that bothers me about the current definition of a planet is the whole "Cleared their orbital path bit" If you truly look at what's flying around inthe solar system you'd realize that nothing has really REALLY cleared their orbital paths completely. Even if you take out asteroids and comets. Any planet with a Moon hasn't technically cleared it's orbital path. That leaves Mercury as the lone planet in teh solar system (minus counting asteroids/comets)
See i think opposite to that, such a thing would be beautiful to behold. The only thing depressing about it is that i'll never get to see it as anything more than a computer rendering.
There's a lot out there in space to get excited about without requiring life.
But boy, could you imagine the bruhaha that would explode if life was found on other celestial bodies? Even microbial life...
forget the Space Bus, I was promised flying cars by 2000. I want my flying car!!!!
Fly me to the moon
and let me play among the stars
let me see what Spring is like on
Jupiter and Mars
Yeah, because Mars Colonies will be so safe