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n2doc

(47,953 posts)
Sat Mar 31, 2012, 05:38 PM Mar 2012

"Goldilocks Planet Will Be Found Within Next Two Years"


Certainly you remember the story of Goldilocks and the tree bears told to you as a child by a knowing adult? What does a fairy tale have to do with Space exploration? As the numbers mount, it seems to be just a matter of time before Kepler finds what astronomers are really looking for: an Earth-like planet orbiting its star in the "Goldilocks zone"—that is, at just the right distance for liquid water and life.

"I believe Kepler will find a 'Goldilocks planet' within the next two years," says Shawn Domagal-Goldman, a researcher at NASA HQ who specializes in exoplanet biology. "We'll be able to point at a specific star in the night sky and say 'There it is—a planet that could support life!'"

Kepler has already located a few Earth-sized planets, but they are too close for comfort to their parent stars. These recent finds have heightened the sense that a big discovery is just around the corner.

But finding such a planet is just the first step. Getting to know it is much more difficult.

more

http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2012/03/fairtales-with-finess.html
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"Goldilocks Planet Will Be Found Within Next Two Years" (Original Post) n2doc Mar 2012 OP
Will the trees be the right size, too, like in Michigan? The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2012 #1
And once it IS found.... izquierdista Mar 2012 #2
Can't wait 'til they discover the Planet of Prehistoric Women Ezlivin Mar 2012 #3
Then we just need to get rid of those whistler162 Mar 2012 #4
If it is just right for life, then it will HAVE life, and we will have NO kestrel91316 Mar 2012 #5
Kepler Mission is awesome... longship Mar 2012 #6
There was an interesting interview with a planet hunter recemtly bananas Apr 2012 #7
 

izquierdista

(11,689 posts)
2. And once it IS found....
Sat Mar 31, 2012, 05:47 PM
Mar 2012

Marketing departments will have to create new advertising campaigns for the new sales territories.

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
5. If it is just right for life, then it will HAVE life, and we will have NO
Sat Mar 31, 2012, 07:02 PM
Mar 2012

right to move in and take over.

Besides, there is that whole little thing about actually GETTING there.

bananas

(27,509 posts)
7. There was an interesting interview with a planet hunter recemtly
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 04:16 AM
Apr 2012
http://www.thespaceshow.com/detail.asp?q=1709

Broadcast 1709 (Special Edition) Listen to the show!
Aired on February 10th, 2012

Guest: Dr. David Kipping

Topics: Searching for Exomoons and Exoplanets with Kepler Space Telescope (KST).

<snip>

Dr. David Kipping is an astronomer based at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA), where he researches extrasolar planets and moons. I am currently fulfilling a Carl Sagan Fellowship at the CfA with the Harvard College Observatory. My research interests include the theory of transiting exoplanets, the development of novel detection techniques, signal detection theory and exomoonology. He also enjoys publicizing science and welcome any questions on my work!

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