http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_TWO_SUNS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SCI_TWO_SUNS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)
Not just science fiction: Planet orbits 2 suns
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) -- Astronomers say a bit of science fiction is now reality. They've spotted a planet orbiting two suns.
The discovery was made by NASA's planet-hunting telescope Kepler. Scientists describe the find in Friday's issue of the journal Science.
They are calling the new planet Tatooine (tah-too-WEEN') after the fictional body in the "Star Wars" films that boasts a double sunset.
The alien world, about the size of Saturn, is frigid and inhospitable. It orbits two stars 200 light-years from Earth.
Though there have been past hints of the existence of other planets that circled double stars, scientists said this is the first confirmation.
Kepler was launched in 2009 to find out how common other planets - especially Earth-like planets - are in the universe.
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Online:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission-pages/kepler/main/index.html (http://www.nasa.gov/mission-pages/kepler/main/index.html)
Here's a link to a really cool video about the discovery:
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=111565131
The video is blank for some reason. :-\
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 08:53:14 PM
The video is blank for some reason. :-\
Because I'm retarded and can't figure out how to make it play. :D
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 08:54:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 08:53:14 PM
The video is blank for some reason. :-\
Because I'm retarded and can't figure out how to make it play. :D
I am so retarded I don't even try to post video anymore. :o
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 08:58:07 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 08:54:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 08:53:14 PM
The video is blank for some reason. :-\
Because I'm retarded and can't figure out how to make it play. :D
I am so retarded I don't even try to post video anymore. :o
It's usually pretty basic. The java script that NASA uses is really difficult to understand. Way out of my league. The best I can do is post a link. :)
Then I surely am needing special classes. :P
None the less, I am excited by this discovery!
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Holy crap! So did I! In fact, several years ago, my sister sent me a box of my things she had been holding onto after the family home was sold, and in it were the sketchbooks I used to draw my "dreams" of this double-sun system.
What are the chances?
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Holy crap! So did I! In fact, several years ago, my sister sent me a box of my things she had been holding onto after the family home was sold, and in it were the sketchbooks I used to draw my "dreams" of this double-sun system.
What are the chances?
My jaw dropped. I drew sketches, too!
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 16, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Holy crap! So did I! In fact, several years ago, my sister sent me a box of my things she had been holding onto after the family home was sold, and in it were the sketchbooks I used to draw my "dreams" of this double-sun system.
What are the chances?
My jaw dropped. I drew sketches, too!
Debra!!!! Okay, I'm freakin' out a bit. What a bizarre coincidence! Did you keep any of your sketches?
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 02:07:06 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 16, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Holy crap! So did I! In fact, several years ago, my sister sent me a box of my things she had been holding onto after the family home was sold, and in it were the sketchbooks I used to draw my "dreams" of this double-sun system.
What are the chances?
My jaw dropped. I drew sketches, too!
Debra!!!! Okay, I'm freakin' out a bit. What a bizarre coincidence! Did you keep any of your sketches?
This story is one of the low points of my life. After my parents were told by a teacher that I was talented and should go to art school, they burned my entire portfolio. When I asked where my art was they said. "What art." I was 16.
I do have later pieces that show inner and dreamscapes, but not the double sun. :'(
I do remember that I had drawn/painted dragons in some of the double sun landscapes.
Fascinating, Debra. I'm so sorry, though, about how viciously shortsighted your parents were. Again, it sounds like you and Max grew up in the same household! :'(
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 08:54:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 08:53:14 PM
The video is blank for some reason. :-\
Because I'm retarded and can't figure out how to make it play. :D
Umm....SORRY but "I" hold that title. I can't even DOWNLOAD an audio file!
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 16, 2011, 02:28:09 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 02:07:06 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 16, 2011, 12:59:34 PM
Quote from: PPI Karl on September 16, 2011, 12:19:27 PM
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 15, 2011, 09:08:25 PM
Quote from: PPI Brian on September 15, 2011, 09:06:05 PM
It's amazing, isn't it? Where there's one large gas giant planet, there's sure to be system of moons orbiting the planet. There might also be rocky planets closer toward the parent stars. :)
I literally had dreams of a 2 sun system when I was teen. Before Star Wars. During medieval times.
Holy crap! So did I! In fact, several years ago, my sister sent me a box of my things she had been holding onto after the family home was sold, and in it were the sketchbooks I used to draw my "dreams" of this double-sun system.
What are the chances?
My jaw dropped. I drew sketches, too!
Debra!!!! Okay, I'm freakin' out a bit. What a bizarre coincidence! Did you keep any of your sketches?
This story is one of the low points of my life. After my parents were told by a teacher that I was talented and should go to art school, they burned my entire portfolio. When I asked where my art was they said. "What art." I was 16.
I do have later pieces that show inner and dreamscapes, but not the double sun. :'(
OMG Debra! I am hyperventilating right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: PPI Tracy on September 16, 2011, 03:07:32 PM
OMG Debra! I am hyperventilating right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm okay, Tracy. (I am so sad that others have suffered like Max and I .)
Once I got over the fact that they didn't love me, I moved on.
Quote from: PPI Debra on September 16, 2011, 03:17:56 PM
Quote from: PPI Tracy on September 16, 2011, 03:07:32 PM
OMG Debra! I am hyperventilating right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm okay, Tracy. (I am so sad that others have suffered like Max and I .)
Once I got over the fact that they didn't love me, I moved on.
That's an incredibly sad story, Debra. I'm sorry to hear this. It is heart breaking on so many levels I can't quite articulate it. :(
But I am happy you broke that cycle of suffering, because you are a selfless and caring person. A lesser person would have perpetuated the cycle of suffering by becoming selfish and uncaring.