The Search for Earth-like Planets

**edgray** · 12-30-2010, 04:35 AM

this video is really cool. they're showing how astronomers are looking for Earth like planets around the galaxy.

As these planets cannot be viewed due to their distance from Earth and the light from their host sun, they measure the motion of the star and can model their solar systems through seeing how the "sun" wobbles, which is due to gravitational tug of the planets that orbit them.

With this gravity recorded, a model of the planets that orbit the star are built, and from that the characteristics, based on their size and distance from the sun they orbit, of the planets can be modeled.

Pretty neat stuff

Interesting to think what, if anything, might be looking back.

**KimmyCharmeleon** · 12-30-2010, 06:54 AM

How they know all that stuff about other stars and planets amazes me, I think it would be cool if we could find another planet like ours.

**edgray** · 12-30-2010, 08:38 AM

It's really cool, isn't it? The techniques used in this video are being improved upon all the time. But this is the beauty of science, an ever progressing field and constantly expanding thanks to new discoveries.

**BornReady** · 12-30-2010, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by edgray

Interesting to think what, if anything, might be looking back.

Perhaps, one day, our SETI radio telescopes will receive a signal from a nearby solar system. I wonder how well we could learn to communicate without knowing each other's language?

**cam elle toe** · 12-30-2010, 04:07 PM

and people still think we're the only life forms in the whooooole universe

**FreightTrain** · 12-30-2010, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by cam elle toe

and people still think we're the only life forms in the whooooole universe

and these people vote!

**Morticia** · 12-30-2010, 04:39 PM

I'd like to think there are other intelligent lifeforms out there somewhere .... but ..
I can't help thinking if they spot us before we spot them they'd be well advised to turn tail and jettison of into the nearest blackhole at warp speed.

Unless they already have ... and that's why we can't find any.
Forgive my cyncical, twisted humour.

**Dana** · 12-30-2010, 05:52 PM

Aliens live among us... Pablo, Jose and Emilio.... They live right down the street.

**FreightTrain** · 12-31-2010, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Morticia

I'd like to think there are other intelligent lifeforms out there somewhere .... but ..
I can't help thinking if they spot us before we spot them they'd be well advised to turn tail and jettison of into the nearest blackhole at warp speed.

Unless they already have ... and that's why we can't find any.
Forgive my cyncical, twisted humour.

I think that's more logical than cynical. If we came across another ever-warring planet, I'd think we'd do the same. It would remind us too much of Earth!