by Spacecake » Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:27 pm
I am brand new to the forum but have been an APOD fan for years. My apologies if I have created this topic in the wrong way. I didn't see any other topic on today's picture (and I did read the rules).
Today's picture and explanation confused me, and I wonder if someone could clear up a few questions.
1. By "super earths" does the writer mean large planets in general or large planets that aren't gas giants?
2. I'm really not a science genius, just an interested layman. When it says 13 times the mass of the earth, that says nothing about the dimensions of the super-earth, correct? It could be similar in size to the earth but composed of matter with higher mass.
I guess I'm just confused as to what is meant by the term "super earth." Obviously the description shows that there is a great deal of mystery surrounding these planets, but I was wondering if there might be a clearer description of what they are believed to be — and not be.
I am brand new to the forum but have been an APOD fan for years. My apologies if I have created this topic in the wrong way. I didn't see any other topic on today's picture (and I did read the rules).
Today's picture and explanation confused me, and I wonder if someone could clear up a few questions.
1. By "super earths" does the writer mean large planets in general or large planets that aren't gas giants?
2. I'm really not a science genius, just an interested layman. When it says 13 times the mass of the earth, that says nothing about the dimensions of the super-earth, correct? It could be similar in size to the earth but composed of matter with higher mass.
I guess I'm just confused as to what is meant by the term "super earth." Obviously the description shows that there is a great deal of mystery surrounding these planets, but I was wondering if there might be a clearer description of what they are believed to be — and not be.