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First 100% for sure picture of extrasolar planet

croxiscroxis I am the walrus
in Zocalo v2.0
[url]http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/050401_first_extrasolarplanet_pic.html[/url]


[IMG]http://a52.g.akamaitech.net/f/52/827/1d/www.space.com/images/050401_FIRST_PLANET_01.jpg[/IMG]

Comments

  • sleepy_shadowsleepy_shadow Ranger
    [QUOTE]The star GQ Lupi is part of a star-forming region about 400 light-years away.[/QUOTE]
    Quite an impressive distance.

    I hope that sooner or later... with sufficiently big space-based telescopes... most likely combined telescopes... it will eventually be possible to observe Earth-like planets directly too.
  • croxiscroxis I am the walrus
    [url="http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=h_tpf_corona_02,0.jpg&cap=An%20artist[/url]'s%20vision%20of%20what%20the%20Terrestrial%20Planet%20Finder%20coronagraph,%20a%20telescope%20that%20blots%20out%20starlight%20to%20find%20planets%20orbiting%20a%20star,%20may%20look%20like.%20The%20coronagraph%20will%20be%20the%20first%20TPF%20instrument%20to%20launch,%20followed%20by%20a%20stronger%20formation-flying%20interferometer.%20CREDIT:%20NASA/JPL.%20Click%20to%20enlarge"]Link to pic[/url]
  • HuntSmackerHuntSmacker Firstones Ambassador to Starcraftia
    We will - By about 2025 when a network of laser guided telescopes is planned to be launched.
  • the_exilethe_exile Kupo!
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by croxis [/i]
    [B][url]http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?pic=h_tpf_corona_02,0.jpg&cap=An%20artist[/url]'s%20vision%20of%20what%20the%20Terrestrial%20Planet%20Finder%20coronagraph,%20a%20telescope%20that%20blots%20out%20starlight%20to%20find%20planets%20orbiting%20a%20star,%20may%20look%20like.%20The%20coronagraph%20will%20be%20the%20first%20TPF%20instrument%20to%20launch,%20followed%20by%20a%20stronger%20formation-flying%20interferometer.%20CREDIT:%20NASA/JPL.%20Click%20to%20enlarge. [/B][/QUOTE]You might want to try using a hypertext link next time. :D
  • A2597A2597 Fanboy
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by HuntSmacker [/i]
    [B]We will - By about 2025 when a network of laser guided telescopes is planned to be launched. [/B][/QUOTE]

    ummm....laser guided? Forgive my ignorance here, but I'm picturing something like a laser sight on a gun, wouldn't it take 400 years for the dot to show up on it's target?
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    as i recall, the lasers are used to measure the distances between the different telescopes which can then be maintained by the use of manuvering jets
  • HuntSmackerHuntSmacker Firstones Ambassador to Starcraftia
    They are mentioned somewhere. Go to your local video store and try to rent/order a copy of the BBC documentary series "SPACE". It's basically space for dummies, but has great effects and dramatic presentation by Sam Neill.
  • Random ChaosRandom Chaos Actually Carefully-selected Order in disguise
    Space for dummies. Reminds me of the dummies books. I love some of those titles :D
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by A2597 [/i]
    [B]ummm....laser guided? Forgive my ignorance here, but I'm picturing something like a laser sight on a gun, wouldn't it take 400 years for the dot to show up on it's target? [/B][/QUOTE]

    Laser-guided as in using lasers ot measure the distances between the craft to [b]picometers[/b].

    The plan is to launch an [url=http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&oi=dict&q=http://www.answers.com/interferometer%26r%3D67]Interferometer[/url], I believe, to one of the lagrange points in the solar system that's *not* near the earth by any means and plant the gizmo there. Problem with the interferometers being used in space is that due to the extreme distances involved, the distances between the craft becomes so immensely important that even a vairation of 3x10^-12 meters could throw off the results.

    Someone with more experience in this should probably correct me here.
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Sanfam [/i]
    [B]Someone with more experience in this should probably correct me here. [/B][/QUOTE]

    where's ET when you need him? ;)
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