Astronomers discover 32 new 'exoplanets'

[Crabtownboy]

Interesting reading. I wonder how many planets there are in our solar system. My guess is we will never know. Just too many stars to check. God is so much greater than any of us can ever know.

Astronomers are finding planets by the dozen. A team of European astronomers announced Monday morning that they had found 32 new "exoplanets" orbiting distant stars.

More importantly, the planets were found around a variety of stars, suggesting that planets are common in our galaxy. Gas giant planets were found orbiting "metal-poor" stars -- lacking in elements other than hydrogen and helium -- which until now had been considered unlikely places for planets to form.

The first exoplanet was found in 1995. With this latest batch, the census tops 400. The lowest-mass planet announced today has a mass about five times that of the Earth. Astronomers hope someday to find signs of an Earth-mass planet in an Earth-like orbit -- circling a star at a distance that allows for the possibility that water might be liquid at the planet's surface.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/19/AR2009101900956.html?hpid=artslot

For more information go to: http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2009/pr-39-09.html

 

[Johnv]

In our solar system, it's pretty academic that there are 8 planets, but that there are thousands of smaller bodies, many of which might resemble planets, but are not.

In regards to the galaxy and other planets, well, if one in every 5 stars had planets, and those had an average of 3 planets per star, there would be some 60 billion planets in the galaxy.

 

[Crabtownboy]

In our solar system, it's pretty academic that there are 8 planets, but that there are thousands of smaller bodies, many of which might resemble planets, but are not.

In regards to the galaxy and other planets, well, if one in every 5 stars had planets, and those had an average of 3 planets per star, there would be some 60 billion planets in the galaxy.

Oops, thanks for pointing out I used the wrong term. I was thinking galaxy and typed solar system.

Wow, that is a lot of planets.

Have you read, "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis?

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Oops, thanks for pointing out I used the wrong term. I was thinking galaxy and typed solar system.

Wow, that is a lot of planets.

Have you read, "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis?

I have. Also, voyage to venus and that hideous strength. Love the stuff. BTW I wonder if any other intelligent life has evolved out there in the 60 billion plus planets in the Galaxy. Also I wonder if they are sinless and closer to God than us.

 

[ccrobinson]

I've read "Out of the Silent Planet", "Perelandra" and "That Hideous Strength". I remember "That Hideous Strength" as being my favorite of the 3, mostly because "Out of the Silent Planet" moved so slowly and "Perelandra" was hard to follow. *

 

[Crabtownboy]

I have. Also, voyage to venus and that hideous strength. Love the stuff. BTW I wonder if any other intelligent life has evolved out there in the 60 billion plus planets in the Galaxy. Also I wonder if they are sinless and closer to God than us.

The question presented in "Out of the Silent Planet" has fascinated me ever since I read the book. What if there are thousands of planets with intelligent life but that earth is the only planet where man rebelled and thus, is the only fallen planet.

 

[Johnv]

Have you read, "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis?

One of my fav's.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

The question presented in "Out of the Silent Planet" has fascinated me ever since I read the book. What if there are thousands of planets with intelligent life but that earth is the only planet where man rebelled and thus, is the only fallen planet.

exactly. I remember how Lewis described banter between the Martians. And how strange another man looked after time among the aliens really neat. And the premise was an interesting one to consider. BTW I also like Stephen Lawhead. Ever read his Arthur Series? beter known as the Pendragon Cycle?