Epsilon Eridani

Palomar · 2006-10-09 20:10:36

The closest planet outside our solar system orbits a young Sun-like star only 10.5 light years away—so close that telescopes might soon be able to snap pictures of it, new observations confirm.
About 1.5 more massive than Jupiter, the planet takes 7-years to circle its star

First discovered in 2000. Hubble and other 'scopes to attempt imaging it in 2007.

If moons circle the planet, they might have temperatures similar to Earth's and possibly liquid water...
However, the planet's orbit takes it so far from its star that any oceans on the moons would freeze. However, life could potentially survive on such moons if they were massive enough to retain a dense heat-trapping atmosphere like Saturn's moon, Titan

SpaceNut · 2006-10-09 20:25:59

Not sure that betting on Hubble still being operational for this is the right bet to make.

maxie · 2006-10-10 01:26:35

Note: I deleted the duplicate thread started by Palomar in the same subforum. ( ? )

SpaceNut · 2006-10-10 05:52:38

Thanks for not... moving the one comment in it...

Now to try and remember what I had posted which really did not go with the sub title of imaging which is what this one really is intented to cover. Na.. why bother..

To get an image scientists will try and time it so that it is sort of side viewed with respect to a direct inline. Other options would be blocking the stars light with a disk, viewing it with multiple telescopes at different wavelengths other than visible light..

C M Edwards · 2006-10-10 07:00:08

Say, isn't Epsilon Eridani a star with a dust disk observable at infrared wavelengths? I wonder how a gas giant fits the current models for such disks.

Hmm...

SpaceNut · 2006-10-10 09:55:27

yup, on the same plane as the star's disk of gas and dust.

The finding marks the first time that the two objects have been observed at the same inclination around the same star and supports the theory that planets form from such disks.

maxie · 2006-10-10 14:31:06

Thanks for not... moving the one comment in it...

off-topic: Sorry. I've made a mistake. :oops:

This is what you said there:

I would be more thrilled if we had FTL transportation to allow us to journey to this very large world but even with a means to push us in the right direction with some sort of cryrogenics the power needed to keep the vehicle operation would be huge.

:oops: :oops: :oops:

Palomar · 2006-10-10 16:30:33

Say, isn't Epsilon Eridani a star with a dust disk observable at infrared wavelengths? I wonder how a gas giant fits the current models for such disks.
Hmm...

Good question. Wish I knew.

Maxie: No problem. I may have accidentally created two threads while going back to insert a subject line under the header (edit). But I didn't see two threads. Not sure what happened. Seems all's under control. Back on topic...

Will be keeping tabs on upcoming imaging plans for this extrasolar planet.

SpaceNut · 2006-10-10 18:19:40

Thanks for not... moving the one comment in it...
off-topic: Sorry. I've made a mistake. :oops:
This is what you said there:
I would be more thrilled if we had FTL transportation to allow us to journey to this very large world but even with a means to push us in the right direction with some sort of cryrogenics the power needed to keep the vehicle operation would be huge.

:oops: :oops: :oops:

No problem and thanks Maxie I did not want to muddle up the topic of getting clear images with being able to get to our nearest of stellar neighbors.

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#1 2006-10-09 20:10:36

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#2 2006-10-09 20:25:59

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#3 2006-10-10 01:26:35

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#4 2006-10-10 05:52:38

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#5 2006-10-10 07:00:08

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#6 2006-10-10 09:55:27

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#7 2006-10-10 14:31:06

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#8 2006-10-10 16:30:33

Re: Epsilon Eridani

#9 2006-10-10 18:19:40

Re: Epsilon Eridani

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