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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on November 14, 2008, 09:23

Title: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: sam on November 14, 2008, 09:23
nuts... there goes my career - I'm trying todo a similar thing at radio wavelengths...

http://www.universetoday.com/2008/11/13/hubble-take-first-visible-light-image-of-extrasolar-planet/

Quote
Persistence has paid off for astronomer Paul Kalas. After eight years and taking repeated photographs with the Hubble Space Telescope of a nearby star, he finally has what he and many astronomers have been striving for: the first visible-light snapshot of a planet outside our solar system. This coincides with the announcement of the first time astronomers have taken pictures of another multi-planet solar system, using the Gemini and Keck Telescopes. Kalas has been studying the star Fomalhaut, located about 25 light years from Earth, for several years. He knew the planet was there, because its perturbations were evident in the ring of gas and dust surrounding the star. The planet is probably close to the mass of Jupiter, and it orbits Fomalhaut at a distance about four times that between Neptune and the sun. Formally known as Fomalhaut b, the planet could have a ring system about the dimension of Jupiter's early rings, before the dust and debris coalesced into the four Galilean moons. Learn more in the video below…
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: Simon on November 14, 2008, 09:38
Hire an assassin!   :devil:
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: Clive on November 14, 2008, 10:02
 :ouch2:  That's bad news Sam.  I saw the pictures on TV this morning.
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: sam on November 14, 2008, 10:12
oh well, at least I discovered a stellar pulsar yesterday... so I can't moan too much!  ;D
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: Camstop on November 14, 2008, 10:29
oh well, at least I discovered a stellar pulsar yesterday... so I can't moan too much!  ;D


Is that what you call it!  ;D :devil: ;)
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: Clive on November 14, 2008, 10:52
oh well, at least I discovered a stellar pulsar yesterday... so I can't moan too much!  ;D

Not too many of those around! 
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: sam on November 14, 2008, 12:49
indeed, a nice addition to the thesis really... I'm hoping to have it submitted before the year is out... I'm also hoping to have written another 3 papers (so 5 in total from 3.5 years work isn't too bad!)
Title: Re: Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet
Post by: Clive on November 14, 2008, 15:14
Nice to see we are getting good value for money Sam.   ;D