Water found in extrasolar planet's atmosphere

Post by **fac51** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:25 pm

Astronomers have detected water in the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system for the first time.

The finding, to be detailed in an upcoming issue of Astrophysical Journal, confirms previous theories that say water vapour should be present in the atmospheres of nearly all the known extrasolar planets. Even hot Jupiters, gaseous planets that orbit closer to their stars than Mercury to our Sun, are thought to have water.

The discovery, announced today, means one of the most crucial elements for life as we know it can exist around planets orbiting other stars.

full story

Post by **mr mixin** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:04 pm

It was a more a case of when, than if they were gonna find it.

Tis a good find though, one step closer to finding a new species to slap on the barbie

Post by **fac51** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:08 pm

mr mixin wrote:It was a more a case of when, than if they were gonna find it.

Tis a good find though, one step closer to finding a new species to slap on the barbie

I totally agree; with the first bit anyway :alt:

Post by **117** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:24 pm

mr mixin wrote:one step closer to finding a new species to slap on the barbie

Post by **mr mixin** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:35 pm

It was a toss up between making the barbie joke, or mentioning something about them having WMDs.

Post by **fac51** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:44 pm

vinnieza · Post by **vinnieza** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:41 am

What's so special about water? Yeah we need it, but something that evolved without it may not? Or just because it has water doesn't mean life?

As you can see i have no idea about this type of science

Post by **fac51** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:00 pm

vinnieza wrote:What's so special about water? Yeah we need it, but something that evolved without it may not? Or just because it has water doesn't mean life?

no but it makes it far more possible

Post by **mr mixin** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 1:32 pm

And a planet with signs of water could mean a second planet for us guys to live on once we fark this one up..

Post by **117** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:38 pm

no chance, there's no way on earth we can terraform the new place before this week's out....