7 replies to this topic

[ritu]

The scientists have nailed it again,they have recently discovered that there is another planet that is capable of nourishing life on it.The planet is found to be like 22 light years away from the earth. Like the earth revolves around the Sun in the Solar System,this planet moves in an orbit around a red dwarf star, the stars which are quite like the Sun, mostly of a gaseous constituency, devoid of rocky composition.
The new planet named Gliese 667Cc is estimated to be four and a half times the mass of Earth And is a solid one. One fact that really makes it different from the suitable environment on the earth is that the light received by Gliese 667Cc from the dwarf planet is ten percent less than the amount received by the Earth from the Sun. A few more observations like the light in the infra red area contributes to the formation of the belief that water could be in the liquid form there and the temperature of the surface would be somewhat suitable for life. The main basis of the emphasis that life can be supported in this planet is that it is located in the habitable zone i.e. the distance from the sun is such that neither it is too hot nor too dry and freezing

Further leads to this discovery can give a brighter dimension to the science of astronomy. If you are looking for more information,check this out.

Edited by ritu, 28 April 2012 - 10:18 AM.

[sheepdog]

That is really awsome! When did they discover this? I hadn't heard anything about it. Seems like that should make front page news! Wonder what the tempratures are? With 10% less light I'd guess it would be colder than earth? But I can think of a lot of plant life that could exist with 10% less light than we have here on earth, so it's possible if there is a water source the planet could be quite filled with life. Will be interesting to follow this story as it unfold in the future. It's sad that we are having so many problems here on earth that has caused a big slow down in the exploration of space.

[Bikerman]

Wow - their PR department were in overdrive. 'Holy Grail' eh? LOL...I hope they are at least blushing.
Fact is we don't have a hell of a lot on Gliese system - any of it (there are 5 bodies I think, from memory, 3 stars and 2 planets). Gcb and Gcc are, I seem to remember, around 6 and 3.5 earth masses respectively and they are likely in the 'liquid water' zone, but that's about it.
It is true that being only about 20 light years distant is a stroke of luck.
If there IS intelligent life then we might get an invite over - should arrive in 2033 I think.... I might live that long......

Edited by Bikerman, 29 April 2012 - 12:11 AM.

[rpgsearcherz]

I don't really follow the theory that a planet has to be like earth for live to grow on it. While I see where people come up with that assumption, who's to say that "alien" life, should it exist, doesn't have the capability to live without water and oxygen? For all we know, there could be a thermophilic alien race living on the sun.

[ritu]

I can't really say why the scientists take to establish Earth as their base to ascertain whether there is some other planet that is capable of supporting life,but probably the fovourable conditions for life on the new planet helps provide a hint that their search may come to an end,i.e the hunt for existence of life beyond earth.

[sheepdog]

I too find the possibilites that life can exist in conditions far different from those on earth. Didn't they recently discover some type of life forms living in super hot volcanic tubes deep in the ocean? Seems I heard something about it but don't remember any real details about it. But if life can exist in such a hostile contitions, I see no reason why there couldn't be life forms that can exist in conditions much different than we have here.

I don't really think their PR department is in overdrive. I think they are actually staying pretty quiet about it, since this is the first I've heard about it, and I even asked Hubby if he had heard anything, since he does watch a lot more tv, especially the news, than I do and he hadn't heard a single word about it either.

And in the grand scheme of things, 2033 isn't really all that far off. Heck, we will still be paying off the United States deficiet by then at the rate things are going now! Anybody remember how long it took the probes sent to Mars to get there and start sending back data? I know it was a fair amount of time. So even if it took a probe 10 years I think it would be worthwhile to send it and see what's out there. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[rpgsearcherz]

sheepdog, on 29 April 2012 - 09:26 PM, said:

Seems I heard something about it but don't remember any real details about it.

I think I've heard of similar things. Basically life has multiple different forms. Some of which are thermophiles, for example, and love extreme heat. Some like highly acidic areas, some are anaerobic (don't need oxygen at all), etc. And these are all on earth! So the idea that there are even larger extremes and/or other types we just haven't discovered isn't far-fetched. Scientists say we've still only discovered a very small fraction of the life on our own planet. If we still haven't even covered our own yet, I see no reason to think other planets wouldn't have similar things.

[Bikerman]

There are sound scientific reasons for thinking that life will be something like us. The main one is that carbon seems to be the best choice for the long-chain molecules that seem to be essential for life. Whilst it is certainly true that we haven't discovered even a good fraction of the life here on Earth, what remains true is that it is all based on the DNA molecule and a strong induction is still valid - that life arose only once here on Earth.
Even the extremeophile life on Earth is based on that DNA molecule