Related Sections: Space
Historic first look at an alien world, 3.1 quadrillion miles away
Encircled in the picture above is the first planet from an alien solar system ever seen by humans. Located 500 light years from Earth, it's a planet eight times bigger than Jupiter. While it looks close to this sun-sized star in the picture, it's actually 11 times farther away from it than Neptune is from our sun.
Scientists have found numerous planets by detecting gravitational "wobble" in stars, however “this is the first time we have directly seen a planetary mass object in a likely orbit around a star like our Sun,” said David Lafrenière, the lead author of a paper about the discovery. The University of Toronto astronomers who took this shot say the planet is probably orbiting this star, but add there's a slight chance it could be just hanging there in space. They're still not even sure if it's moving in sync with the star, which will take two more years of observation to determine.
This could change everything for scientists, who thought planets could only be formed by dust and matter close to a star. Equally interesting is how this picture was taken of an object 3.1 quadrillion miles away, using a an infrared adaptive optics system and the near-infrared imager on the Gemini North telescope atop Mona Kea in Hawaii.
Gemini Observatory, via Science News
By photoshopprof at 4:26 PM ON 09/18/08
One small correction. There is only one Solar System in the universe... the term means system of Sol (Sol is the name of our sun).
The term that should be used is stellar system, or "name of star" system - such as the Alpha Centauri system. Solar System is reserved for our star and planetary system and is not a generic term for all star/planetary systems.
By Bender at 6:58 PM ON 09/18/08
Meh. Semantics. You probably also think Pluto isn't a planet. Try defining "continent" for me and we'll talk.
By GEORGEBUSH at 7:12 PM ON 09/18/08
Pluto technically cannot be categorized as a planet... that is, if you follow the "official" definition of planet. Don't be a douchebag.
By AChudnow at 2:47 AM ON 09/19/08
"Solar System" (note the capitals) does refer to the planetary bodies orbiting around the star we have named Sol. The term "solar system" (lower case) is commonly used to refer to any group of planetary bodies (and sometimes other space faring objects) and the star that they orbit.
Georgebush, look out, your pocket protector is leaking.
By NetminderX at 11:10 AM ON 09/19/08
Is this the first sign of the Planet "Nibiru".
By markbrockman at 11:39 AM ON 09/19/08
If we invade, will the gas prices go down?
By Vael Victus at 4:16 PM ON 09/19/08
That's pretty darn ignorant, photoshopprof. Pretty darn indeed.
By Vael Victus at 4:17 PM ON 09/19/08
Sorry, I didn't see your capital S's.
Disregard that, I suck cocks.
By ambersolara at 11:59 AM ON 09/20/08
Next question: How did that super-Jupiter get all the way out there?
And furthermore, given the number of hot Jupiters we've discovered (and this frozen Jupiter), does it tend to reason that cataclysmic events at the birth of solar systems drag large planets over the orbits of smaller ones and 'erase' viable systems in which life otherwise could have developed? And if so, does that make us even more unique in our little corner of universe?
Just gives you more pause and reflection, and appreciation of our pale blue dot.
By Crusader at 10:03 AM ON 09/21/08
Now we find the planet, then life, then intelligent life.
We are nearing to complete this phase and meet with extrateristerial life beings.2012
Be ready for space ride, meet the enterprise and the space federation.
Bangalore-India
By Zelkmassb at 1:33 AM ON 09/22/08
And the planet shall be called.... Octorion!! =:D That name just sounds really coolios and Spacial, hehe. This discovery is truely amazing! I can't wait for more activity information to be discovered and discussed! =:)
By SciGuy at 4:01 AM ON 09/23/08
Not surprised that this discovery was made by people outside the usual circles, using equipment that NASA and JPL would laugh at. Next we'll see some teenager upstage the HADRON collider.
By MeetMeLater at 3:00 AM ON 09/25/08
That is actually closer to a double star system with a very small companion star. I've heard theories that if Jupiter were not much bigger than it is, it would be a star and we would have two suns in our sky. (but not two Sun's)
By coonass at 8:22 AM ON 09/25/08
SCIGUY:"Not surprised that this discovery was made by people outside the usual circles, using equipment that NASA and JPL would laugh at."
Actually, NASA (if not JPL) probably has helped pay for most of the telescopes on Mauna Kea. Real scientists don't laugh at real science (like the work of U Toronto showcased in this article). Although I suspect that the Hubble just got a new tasking :-) Speaking of which, this month hopefully there's going to be the first non-ISS Shuttle mission in years, specifically to top off the mission expendables and fix little bits and pieces on Hubble - probably the last human attention it'll get, ever. Good luck, guys.
By Hactar at 1:23 PM ON 09/25/08
In less than 100 years there will be (multiple) tremendously powerful space based telescopes... this is but the first in a myriad of planets which will be "seen" by today's childeren.
Amazing...
By Snipas187 at 1:53 PM ON 09/25/08
What I don't understand is why would God make another planet way out in the middle of nowhere....I'm so confused, where's my Bible?
By Armageist at 4:16 PM ON 09/25/08
BEST COMMENT YET!
"What I don't understand is why would God make another planet way out in the middle of nowhere....I'm so confused, where's my Bible?"
By Wolfie at 7:21 PM ON 09/25/08
Ok people here is my opinion on this matter. They way I see it is this. No we are not alone in the universe. Because we have not been able to get out in it far enough to prove that we are. And who's to say we really are alone. One of these years we will know the real answer as to how life got started on this planet. Yet we all don't know how or why. but I can say this one thing for all of us. If this planet would sit down and try to have only one religion then we could go a lot faster in getting off this planet.
I think that would be our first step because as we all know religion brings everyone closer. Some day we will all know what's going on to be true.. So with this if the picture was taken hey cool just means that our tech is getting better. We keep going with it maybe we can have a photo of something on the planet there.
By friendofman at 10:37 PM ON 09/25/08
Why do religious radicals always say
God couldn't have done something so great as create something more than this little planet and it's people.
Quit underestimating God. Or will your tiny little egos let you
By GeeWindu at 10:48 PM ON 09/25/08
Religion does not bring people closer. God does, and having faith does, but faith and religion are two totally different things. God did create the universe but exactly how it happened remains a mystery. We may never know or maybe scientists will figure it out in a year or ten. One religion is not what we really need but Love is. Religion can be corrupt faith is not. Love everyone, accept people for who they are, and have a little faith. :)
By startreksuite at 7:41 AM ON 09/26/08
amen to that, though boy it seems that we have gotten off topic. All this talk about celestial bodies reminds me how much science fact I have forgotten.
By Jersey Dave at 8:36 AM ON 09/26/08
The size and the distance fromthe star both help, because both help the planet stand out more. The angle is also nice, as it isn't washed out by being right between earth and the star it orbits. However the nice thing is that as technology improves we will find more and more, I'm sure.
As for wondering whyGod put a planet out there, well as he put it all out there, that's his business. Remember that Jesus said there were others who needed to hear the word, he didn't say where.
Thinking that a person having religion automatically makes them ignorant to science is itself ignorant. A believer can be as good a scientist as anyone else. From their point of view, why not learn more and see more of what the creator made?
By shortlobster at 9:06 AM ON 09/26/08
If there was life on an alien planet, would our military forces go out there to destroy them? Ya know the old adage, "Kill what you don't know, or understand."
By bomber 101 at 5:12 PM ON 09/27/08
Thats cool, a planet in another solar system
By spacemonkey at 6:59 PM ON 09/27/08
Ya know, it doesn't make you less special in the eyes of God if there is ANOTHER world out there, guys. Chill out. Hellew, it's GOD. I'm pretty sure He can just do what we wants. But seriously - another planet? Bad ass!
By Laenerin at 3:39 AM ON 09/29/08
Hey, who's to say that WE aren't the Ancients? Huh...HUH? But seriously, yes: seeing other stars (possibly) being orbited by other planet(s) equals epic win. That's awesome.
By jul210s at 4:01 PM ON 10/06/08
Do these pages ever change? One grows so weary of coming here to see the same old stuff.
By jimjam6702 at 8:52 PM ON 10/18/08
O boy, where do I begin?!First lets stop being so immature about such an awesome discovery!!! This page of comments ALONE should prove that we're DEFINATELY not the most intelligent lifeform...ANYWHERE!(thank God!)
Second,who's to say for sure that we are right about how planets or solor systems or stars are created? The last time I checked the Human race was not the "END ALL" in determining the make-up and existance of our reality or our stature. Remember,we are the same race that once thought that our OWN planet was FLAT! WE are the same race that decided that depending on the color of your skin,you were either a "person" who was intitled to respect, or "subhumane"... if you can recall the slavery era!
The same race that ignorantly insists on fighting the ancient fight of "science vs. spirituality". Have we learned NOTHING?
By now we should be able to conciede that science & spirituality are one and the same.You can't have one w/out the other. Hence the realization that that everything really is relative; our universe,solor systems,stars...US.
The sooner we start focusing on THAT and not whether someone used the correct terminology,or "if we all just believed in one religion??"(don't even get me started on that FARCE!),or WHY God put this structure out in the middle of nowhere,... The sooner we will be open to know the truth.
Of course there are those who will disagree w/me,as expected.Thats fine too,you may continue to live in your obtuse world of ignorant oppinions & closeminded beliefs. I choose to live in my world of openmindedness,spiritual enlightenment,and the only rule I'll EVER live by...ERVERYTHING was created equal and yes my equals,every thing is,was and ALWAYS will be relative.Including us and other intelligent lifeforms,as we will discover in time.And I look forward to the prospect that there is other intelligent life out there somewhere,who might teach us how to surpass our EGOS long enough to realize that we are ALL part of Gods scheme,every planet,every star,every race,solar system,we are all interconnected,-family!
I know THIS...If WE are the supposed most intelligent lifeform that has ever existed then God was sleepin on the job and we're ALL screwed!
Thank you all for reaffirming for me that there is still room for growth and enlightenment where the human race is concerned...maybe one day we'll put our egos aside long enough to achieve it!
- a 32 yr.old wife and mother-
By jimjam6702 at 5:54 PM ON 10/19/08
Just an aside,I would like to say that my comment above does not apply to anyone on this page that had a serious comment about this discovery,or anyone who had something positive to say about it.only the jokers,critisizers & morons who comment on a page like this to belittle other people.I won't mention names,as you know who you are!! to everyone else...thank you for your comments,you definately provide food for thought!Alot of good points were made. thank ya's!!!!......For our little critics,YES I KNOW I MISSPELLED "SOLAR" MORE THAN ONCE. -HAGD-
By Arunabh Das at 10:54 PM ON 10/17/09
This is a pretty amazing thread. - Arunabh Das
on your cellphone!
Text DVICE to 72434
editor@dvice.com
Arunabh Das:
This is a pretty amazing thread. - Arunabh Das...More »