Question:
Are you surprised that an earth-like planet has just been discovered?
Wildamberhoney
2007-04-25 10:34:13 UTC
Astronomers have found the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System to date, a world which could have water running on its surface.

The planet orbits the faint star Gliese 581, which is 20.5 light-years away in the constellation Libra.

Scientists made the discovery using the Eso 3.6m Telescope in Chile.

They say the benign temperatures on the planet mean any water there could exist in liquid form, and this raises the chances it could also harbour life. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6589157.stm

What do you reckon to all this? Are you surprised?
62 answers:
Brite Tiger
2007-04-25 10:38:54 UTC
Not surprised. I just hope that maybe there is intellegent life on that planet, because there sure as heck isn't any on this one.
JSGeare
2007-05-01 11:12:31 UTC
Lord, give me strength!



The question is not terribly staggering -but the answers show why I'm beginning to think the patients are running the asylum.



Infinite universe? I doubt it. Inasmuch as the big U is a defined area -even if it is expanding and dynamic- there is, at any given time, a finite number of particles "out there," so the U's status as "infinite" is not subject to "belief." Besides which, this is a tautological argument, such that if true than of course there is an infinite number of possibilities. Call security.



Your question, which I see apparently comes from the somewhat murky depths of the BBC, does NOT ask if we are surpised that an earth-like planet exists -but rather, it asks if we are surpised that it has "just been discovered ..."



And so, of course, most respondents answer the question that was not asked -the "existence" one, I mean.



One respondent did pick up this nuance, noting surprise that the discovery was made so soon, but claiming to be underwhelmed that we have a distant neighbor that seems to be like us: send the champagne to that person.



And I would side with that person; I'm surprised in somewhat the same way I feel delighted when a mail order arrives a day or two ahead of expected delivery; I've been waiting for it, assume it will get here, but am happily surprised when it is sooner than I expected.



But, then again, the question concludes with more queries about being surprised by "...all this." The premises of the questions are a bit frail, however. I'm not sure why the mere existence of water raises the chances of life. All we know is that life and water seem to go together here on earth. And this touches on the whole notion of what life -as we undertand it thus far, and as we understand it HERE- needs to exist. Perhaps there are life forms which enjoy silica. I don't know. Since no one has YET, far as I know, discovered exactly what it was that took earthly chemicals and made them self-replicating, adaptative, and evolving, it is difficult to guess what boundary events or circumstances would produce a repeat performance elsewhere.



And so, resolving that and related issues await more data -just as HERE.



Now let's see if we have some help for the Almighty. If you don't think there is one, then there's no discussion. But if you think there is, then I see no reason why the Creator would not employ whatever means "He" thought might serve best. This poses no threat to theological thought, or worse, fundmantalist thought, that I can detect.



What has been left out of the question is any reference to the "Drake Equation," which is an attempt to calculate the chances of life "out there." Since we now have an actual "earth-like" planet (which is N sub e in the equation) how would the formula be modified -or would it, at all? Being as how the formula was spawned by another centre of British thought (the journal, "Nature") the BBC should be all over it by now. Good broadcast journalism, that.



I suppose there may now be some rush to detect "intelligent" (ie., not earth-like) like on G581.1 but if there is, I hope we have the good sense to leave those poor folks alone. By now, or soon, they shall be suffering old radio quiz shows and reruns of "I Love Lucy," God forbid.



Cheerio!

I shall look forward to the result of BBC's investigation.
Karan
2007-04-25 11:28:59 UTC
I'm not surprised at all. When I was a kid I knew that every star was a sun ergo possibilities of a solar system orbiting them was quite probable, ergo, life outside earth was a fact. Of course most people thought I was crazy.



That's all very nice and full of speculation because they have no idea as to whether the planet is actually populated by indigenous species, added to the fact that it is kind of far away for us to reach it at the moment, and the most important lesson to learn from this is that we need to take care of this, our home planet first before settingo our eye on another one. Human beings should not become a parasite race that in the far far future colonizes planets, occupied or not, and treats them the same as their home planet.



Sounds a little too sci fi? well, Joan D. Vinge, a sci fi writer once said (and I quote) Sci fi is the archaeology of the future. Have you ever wondered why so many things mentioned in sci fi novels, series, books and such, become frighteningly true?
patrina
2016-05-18 07:45:13 UTC
It was only a matter of time before what us Star Trek nerds call an M class planet was discovered. They've found over 200 planets but they haven't been in the Golilocks Zone. Given the amount of stars there are out there, there had to be more than one unique planet (Earth) capable of sustaining life. I also believe it's only a matter of time before life ... even intelligent life ... is also discovered. It is conceivable that we are the most advanced form of life in the Universe, after all, someone has to be the First, it could be us .... How depressing is that? I like to think that there are advanced civilisations out there and they either don't know we exist or they do and don't want to contact us to allow our own development to continue unhindered ...... ..... Or else they know ALL about us and don't want the human savages to contaminate the Universal community. Woah, what a lot to think about.
cheese.cake
2007-04-27 05:37:10 UTC
i would be more suprised if they haven't found any. the universe is so vast and the stars and planets are so numerous that it very possible that some planets have earth-like properties.

but it think scientists must not be limited to finding such planets like our own. because as i've said, there is an infinite number of heavenly bodies and there is an uncertainty about what we might discover about them. we don't know what kind of life is present in other planets. what if life out there does not thrive with water, probably they are sustained by another substance? in our planet, we know that life can exists is a variety of environments and conditions. what if on other planets life can exist on very cold or high temperatures? the thing is, i think we should broaden our idea about life.
2007-04-27 03:29:56 UTC
First forget all the hype. There's no evidence to believe this planet is even remotely like Earth. All astronomers can measure at this time is the planet's approximate mass, it's approximate orbital radius and it's orbital period. They can't even tell the orbit's eccentricity.



From that they can conjecture that it is likely a rocky body like our own solar system's inner planets. It's orbit puts it in the 'Goldilocks' region of it's star: not too hot, not too cold. That means it possibly COULD, not necessarily has, Earthlike temperatures. It also means it possibly COULD, not necessarily has, water in liquid form.



The surface temperatures and presence of liquid water depends on the density and composition of it's atmosphere, the details of the planet's orbit as well as the presence of water at all in any form. Currently we lack the ability to measure any of these important details and can make no direct observations of the planet's chemistry or temperature.



Hence the media stories about the discovery of an earthlike planet are totally unfounded and complete speculation at this time. The best we can say is that we cannot rule out the possibility that the new planet could have conditions similar to Earth's.
JJP
2007-04-25 11:57:31 UTC
Why should it be surprising that a planet something like Earth exists out there among the countless stars? We think the number of stars in the universe may approach infinity, so simple probability tells us that we’re not the only life.



And why does the possibility of life always presume that it must be life as we know it and needs earth-type water and oxygen? Why not beings that requires chlorine gas instead of Oxygen? And drink liquid helium?



Why not a silicon-based race (as opposed to us carbon-based creatures)?
Ryuk xD
2007-04-25 18:23:34 UTC
At first I was, but once I thought about it, I wondered, how in the world did we think we were the only living life forms in space? There may be plenty more planets like ours. It's just that we haven't seen them due to the distance between us. But then again, they say water can exist, doesn't mean there is any. There is a pretty good chance though, seeming as the temp. is right for water.
my64x
2007-04-25 12:43:37 UTC
I am not surprised, but I'm pretty pleased. With the sheer number of stars which we can see or detect, there's really no telling how many star systems are out there, and any of these has the potential to harbor Earth-like planets. It was bound to happen. As we further develop technology which will allow us to see deeper into space and in greater detail, we should be seeing more of these discoveries. It's a really exciting discovery nonetheless...
space dreamer
2007-04-26 12:54:20 UTC
I am not surprised about it, however they believe the environment on 581c is closer to that of Mars.



I believe we will one day find a planet more like Earth. It would have a magnetic field, ozone, a moon nearly as massive as Earth's or two with a combine mass almost equal to the moon's, and liquid water and climate similar to Earth's. Life, not sure, but if we made it there we could breathe and plant plantlife and trees right away.
strpenta
2007-05-01 07:38:14 UTC
Surprised?-No.

Maybe aliens are the real gods/goddesses and the Old Testament (Yahweh) is/was a rebellious one who confused humans by claiming he was it. But then he got older and gave up that ridiculous past-time (which would be why the whole religious thing about communing with gods directly stopped) so now we (or our equipment, really) has evolved enough to find the planet they're on.
AntarcticChamp
2007-04-27 10:53:01 UTC
I'm surprised that we have the technology to find one. If I'm not mistaken that planet, at five times the mass of earth near a sun that is the size of Jupiter, is the smallest planet we can detect with a radio telescope. We could not detect an earth size planet near a Sun sized star. It doesn't create enough 'wobble' to be visible.
Kainoa
2007-04-25 14:52:27 UTC
It's not a surprise, with all those galaxies it's hard to imagine we are on the only planet where life has evolved. Maybe in a few centuries we'll be able to visit and find out for sure if there's intelligent life there.
William Exile
2007-04-25 12:24:37 UTC
20.5 light years really isn't that far because a light year means it takes a year for light to reach us . sense light speed is impossible , but 1/4 to maybe 1/2 is , it could take earth 50 to 75 years to get a probe there . I'm 28 and what with modern medical science , if NASA would send it today , I could be alive by the time it gets there and hopefully sends back information .
JJ
2007-04-27 00:25:53 UTC
not surprised. There are over 100 earth-like planets in different parts of the universe. The real question is will we ever be able to inhabit these new worlds? If so how will we be able to travel so many miles in a short time?
ladyscootr
2007-04-25 14:10:21 UTC
Given the limitless infinity of the universe, i think it would be highlly improbable for this to be the only planet that supports life. There must be other intelligent species out there, and not just one planet...thousands of them. Just because we haven't found them doesn't mean they aren't there! There are most likely plenty of them both more and less advanced than we are! The possibilities are endless. It's very exciting!
2007-04-25 10:57:59 UTC
Depends whether you consider the universe to be infinite or not. If you do, and I do, nothing is surprising. Nothing is impossible just very, very unlikely.



The fact that scientists have found it is a remarkable feat - if the universe is infinite, there are an infinite number of planets harbouring life, but finding one is incredible.



Let's go and ruin that one too.
Ravi
2007-04-26 00:00:38 UTC
It was really expected. The odds are not really against the fact that there can be a possibility of a planet like ours. The universe is vast and plenty of planets as ours is quite possible.
Cosmos
2007-04-25 13:19:51 UTC
Not surprised at all. There must be more planet like Earth, somewhere else. I don't believe we are the only living thing in the whole universe. There must be more sophisticated living things at there, don't you think? There are planets, like Earth, and there are living things like us, because universe is so huge, we just don't know what's up there.
ishmilchamah
2007-04-25 11:14:00 UTC
Not at all. With all the stars out there & so many having planets, there are bound to be some that are a lot like earth.
blondietatt04
2007-04-25 12:42:47 UTC
I knew it all along-that to think we are the only life in the universe is not only incredibly arrogant, but also stupid and kinda bleek, not to mention that the universe would have been an enormous waste of space. (pun intended!)

And the Bible does tell us that God created the heavens and the Earth, and that if we call on Him, He will show us great and mighty things we didn't know.
mis-teeq-lover
2007-04-25 11:29:25 UTC
To tell you the truth our solar system is just one out of how many only god knows. It will be interesting to know that somewhere out there there could probanly be people or intelligent creatures not like us but maybe they walk in 1 leg or 3 legs or maybe elephants thaty can talk. We must jot down and discover them ASAP
wildstar_2
2007-04-25 12:42:27 UTC
No, I'm not surprised. Given the sheer vastness of the universe and the number of galaxies in the universe, there has to be at least one earthlike planet.
Trenton H
2007-04-25 11:45:52 UTC
i think that if we can realy live on that planet then that is the greatest achievment man has ever had in the history of man and if there is intelligent life then i cant even put into words the things we can learn from them and we can teach them but if there crazy and want to eat or conquer us and turn our bodies into fuel then were going to nuke the ***** out of them ha ha dumb aliens looks like were going to rape there planet for all the natural resources they have
Savriti
2007-04-25 11:41:26 UTC
NO So many stars there has to be other planets revolving around some of them. There also could be many different forms of life out there. You never know. We just can't see that far yet.
Tara B
2007-04-25 11:32:17 UTC
Not at all surprised. But if there is other life on this planet... what does that say about religion and the fact that supposedly God created the earth in 7days???
2007-04-25 15:00:00 UTC
I'm not surprised at all. Look at all the millions of planets, stars and other **** out in space; theres bound to be somewhere that would be close to us. In time, we will find even more planets
2007-04-25 15:34:42 UTC
No. Not surprised. Excited though. I don't think we'll ever see anything develop as far as earthlings inhabiting the planet in our life time, but may in the lifetime of our great, great, great grandchildren.
willowGSD
2007-04-25 11:32:01 UTC
No, I've always thought that it was a strong possibility.

I think it's also a strong possibility that life forms exist on other planets. Humanoid? Why not. Intelligent (as we know it) I hope more so than we are!!!!
Einstein
2007-04-25 15:58:11 UTC
this is good news. WELL... A LITTLE! IM SUPRISED AT THE TEMPS. BUT it is still alright. Scientist and/or astronauts should check that out but MARS TOO. LIKE THEY SAID: "How can we prove there is life on a distant planet when we have problems seeing if there is life on Mars?" I KNOW!!!!!!!
2007-04-25 10:40:45 UTC
No. Im not suprised. I always thought that there were earth like planets out there. The thing I will be most intresting is when they try to get to it.....
blah...
2007-04-30 22:55:52 UTC
I knew aliens existed!!!

Does that mean we can move there if we end up killing this planet with global warming --which i think Mr. Bush will probably do if he doesn't stop worrying about Iraq and start worrying about signing the Kyoto thing along with Australia-- How many earth years would it take to travel there?
Tomorrow is a New Day
2007-04-25 13:27:44 UTC
No, I'm not surprised. I agree with bbj1776, it's kind of arrogant to assume that we are the only life in existence.
2007-04-25 15:45:48 UTC
wow, thoughtful???



to be honest i'm really not that suprised. I mean lets think here, how likely would it be that there is NO ONE out there besides us? In the words of my fav. sci fi movie ever (Contact) that if there was no one else out there besides us then that would be "an awful big waste of space"
2007-05-03 02:19:17 UTC
i believe that there could be many earth like planets like ours

in our own galaxy or in other galaxies in universe full of

galaxies about a 100 billion which any of them having a

solar system similar to ours could substain life.
2007-04-25 13:38:06 UTC
If there is intelligent life on that planet, what in the world would they think of us ignoramuses. Would we have to go to war with them to take their land? Maybe they will just give it up to us to eviscerate like we are doing to Earth. Why are we looking for other places to escape to when all we have to do is stop defiling the one we have.
imputh
2007-04-25 18:38:49 UTC
im actually surprised. u never really hear of planets unless they are on planet earth. thats sooo interesting! thanx for informing me. they said it might have oceans and mountains. pretty crazy. and its 1.5 times the size. i never rly expected that but i havent rly studied astronomy
Bethy4
2007-05-03 07:41:42 UTC
No - because we are not alone, what makes the human race think they are the only ones out here.
2007-05-02 03:51:26 UTC
Why should I be surprised? A lot of scientists are going to be born and a lot of discoveries are going to be born too.
thick sauce
2007-04-25 12:23:32 UTC
Not suprised, but i hope we don't go there expecting to much and get nothing and in the process unsettle anything that might be harmful to us
2007-04-25 11:11:09 UTC
Not at all. It is rather arrogant of us "earthlings" to think we are the only "intelligent" life in the universe.
2007-04-30 14:47:24 UTC
not that surprised,i,m only surprised how can people be so curious about finding new forms of life outside our earth and in the same time destroying life in our really unique and wonderfull world we got.not sure we deserve this planet we live in!
ropar
2007-04-26 07:39:22 UTC
No there`s probably a lot more. What surprises me is noone claimed it was rigged in Hollywood.
2007-04-25 12:17:38 UTC
i am quite surprised, as i live on the planet. we all thought we were alone in the universe until we saw online that we were "discovered".



:)
Becki M
2007-04-25 12:07:01 UTC
Not at all. I have always thought there could be other life existing.
Rocker till life
2007-04-25 15:19:08 UTC
not really bc our panet "intellengiance"(us) are realy destroying its home how can we be smart if we r killing our own home but i hope theres even smarter ppl out there cuase they arnt alot here

no offense
2007-04-25 13:14:34 UTC
We need to straighten out THIS planet before we go and screw with another one.



Vin
Shay
2007-04-25 13:06:49 UTC
I'm not surprised but I am definitely excited.
ms vicci pollard
2007-04-26 08:49:28 UTC
Like this q, its cool, I wonder how many other 'earth's are out there.
cr@c@l@c@j@clynn
2007-04-25 11:06:48 UTC
I'll be suprised when I see water on it. Untill then, no I'm not suprised.
becca
2007-04-26 15:06:44 UTC
no but i find it totally cool. what if theres life there and its just like earth. it would be awesome.
2007-04-25 11:47:52 UTC
thats exciting!! isn't it. not overly surprised. there are probably lots of them out there. just very far away
bbj1776
2007-04-25 10:44:57 UTC
No, people are fools if they think we are the only intelligent life.
M
2007-04-26 10:12:48 UTC
yes im suprised that they found this! the weird part is that i didnt even hear anything about this!!
harryb
2007-04-25 15:21:14 UTC
No, theres lots more out there too.
island girl!!
2007-04-25 14:48:21 UTC
yes well when i heard this i was quite surprised, wht about u were u surprised?
Steve S
2007-04-26 14:58:12 UTC
No, It's about time they admitted it.
npgirl
2007-04-25 10:42:30 UTC
yes i am suprised i did not even know about it
2007-04-25 10:47:02 UTC
No need to worry about it!



Bush is on top of this!



He has contacted the Pentagon for them to start invasion actions immediately!
Jess
2007-04-25 12:46:56 UTC
I knew it all along.
chitownzfynestwmn
2007-04-25 12:16:31 UTC
NOW THAT WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY DESTORYED THIS ECOSYSTEM, LETS MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PLANET AND DESTROY IT TOO
anu v
2007-04-27 05:00:41 UTC
yes i am suprised


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