Meanwhile, in outer space...

[BurtWorm]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7617031.stm

Exoplanet circles 'normal star'



1RXS J160929.1-210524 and its planet (Gemini Observatory )
The candidate planet is pictured as a dot above the star



A planet has been pictured outside our Solar System which appears to be circling a star like our own Sun - a first in astronomy.

Most of the potential exoplanets imaged to date have been seen orbiting brown dwarfs, which are dim - making it easier to detect companion objects.

The new planet is huge, with a mass about eight times that of Jupiter.

The Canadian team that obtained the picture says the parent star is similar to the Sun but somewhat younger.

Three astronomers from the University of Toronto used the Gemini North telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii to take images of the young star 1RXS J160929.1-210524 and the planetary candidate.

The star and its companion lie about 500 light-years from Earth.

...

[Cooley Hurd]

1. It's a parallel universe to our own...

...and President La Erog is enjoying his eighth year as benevolent ruler.:D

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. Wish I was there...

:sigh:

Not having a good day. Feel like I'm about to explode.

[nilram]

7. I wish Bush were there...

Then we'd ALL feel better. Take care.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

10. Thanks for the kind wishes.

:pals:

[BurtWorm]

5. And the Wod Ojonz Redistributional Average is up over 3,000 points

:patriot:

[magellan]

2. Cool

I wonder what the possibility is that there are other planets circling that star?

[tridim]

4. If there are they'll be able to tell from the wobble of the exoplanet and the sun.

This is a very impressive discovery! I'm very surprised to hear that it was imaged from a ground based telescope.

[meow mix]

6. all packed and ready.

volunteering to help colonize the earth-like planet that surely is there! i hope.. lets just find out when we get there.

[nichomachus]

8. What's their immigration policy. Do I qualify?

[Cleita]

9. No one can hear you scream!?

Sorry, I couldn't resist that.

That is seriously kewl though. I never thought I would live long enough to see the day that another planet in another solar system would be found and photographed.

[central scrutinizer]

11. Can this be seen from Alaska?

If so, there's your qualifications, you liberal weenie!