Starship Asterisk*

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.

Anyone else, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

The term "Earth" is used to reflect a terrestrial type rocky planet as opposed to a gas giant like Jupiter.

"Super" refers to its general size/mass.

So "Super Earth" does mean a rocky body with more mass than our Earth.

As for part 2, "13 times the mass" does in fact refer to the presumed mass of the planet as we still can not directly view the planet to determine its exact size. We can presume size/mass based on the planets influence on the star it orbits.

I find the art interesting. It looks like the planet and moon and star were added to a galactic photograph.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap060320.html

If I'm wrong; that's very good art.

Orin

yeah looks like a photo to me
if only they would go and take some photos of the super earths themselves

BMAONE23 wrote:Anyone else, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

The term "Earth" is used to reflect a terrestrial type rocky planet as opposed to a gas giant like Jupiter.

"Super" refers to its general size/mass.

So "Super Earth" does mean a rocky body with more mass than our Earth.

As for part 2, "13 times the mass" does in fact refer to the presumed mass of the planet as we still can not directly view the planet to determine its exact size. We can presume size/mass based on the planets influence on the star it orbits.

Thanks BMAONE. That's very helpful. I wonder how the gravity difference affects how life could evolve there.

Hello

Facts about

Jupiter

http://www.nineplanets.org/jupiter.html

Earth

http://www.nineplanets.org/earth.html

Spacecake,
I would imagine that if any were to form it would be limited to simple to minor complex ocean going life forms in a geothermally active frozen over ocean. It is believed that the planet orbits in an area that would be equal to the distance of our asteroid belt but around a star that is considerably cooler than our own (a brown dwarf). I believe that it is assumed that there is no appreciable atmosphere as it is too cold. If there is a scrim of atmosphere, the surface might harbor bacterial life.

As for the possibility of an ocean, the water might tend to counteract the effects of a stronger gravity though pressure might be a factor, denser gravity = heavier water per sq'

Super planets around other stars seem to be all that man can find; but, that may change. While surfing I found this site that I thought was of interest to the exploration of the universe.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story ... 38,00.html
If this becomes a project and works out man would have an idea of what was out there before sending an exploratory probe.
Orin

Along With finding Super Earths Around other stars; now they are finding abundance of water vapor around another star.
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=5485
There seems to be an abundance of carbon there also; Both elements are needed for life. Unfortunately if there was life near this star it is probably extinct as the comets there are all being vaporized.
Orin