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GJ 1214b: New Planet Discovered: Name That Planet
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by Jordan Yerman | December 17, 2009 at 01:36 pm
9644 views | 23 Recommendations | 24 comments
A new planet, named GJ 1214b, was discovered 40 light years away from Earth. The new planet is 2.5 times the size of Earth, and appears to be a "water world". Wired Magazine is running an online poll to name the planet, but at the time of this writing it was hacked. Meanwhile, I suggest Planet Zarkon but take our own poll too.
Scientists believe that atmospheric pressure is keeping the planet's water in a liquid state, as the surface temperature could be as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204C). That sort of superheated water would not be able to support life as we know it.
If you could ride a spaceship to this planet — which you couldn't, because it is 40 light-years away — you would first approach the small, feeble red star that the planet orbits once every 38 hours, Charbonneau says. Then you'd see the planet, bigger and heavier than Earth, and probably enshrouded in an alien atmosphere.
Currently we are unable to learn much more about the newly-discovered planet, but at least we can get a clearer look using existing tools.
Charbonneau is hopeful that more will be learned about this new planet by using the Hubble Space Telescope to look at light from the star that passes through the planet's atmosphere. "Imprinted on that are the fingerprints of whatever gases are present in the atmosphere," he says.
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Recommendations (23)
Roberto Alvarez-Galloso
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (24)
at 15:46 on December 17th, 2009
this planet should be called " LEO "
at 19:31 on December 17th, 2009
Planet should definitely be called Reach, thats the way the wired poll is leaning.
at 00:28 on December 18th, 2009
this Planet should be name "Dream" Cause it would remain dream from many scientist and astronomers to reach there.
at 01:22 on December 18th, 2009
The planet is called "pyrohydros"
at 03:58 on December 18th, 2009
Liquearth
at 04:49 on December 18th, 2009
Planet Dave
at 06:00 on December 18th, 2009
Reach sounds great.
at 06:54 on December 18th, 2009
is this nibiru?
at 16:57 on December 18th, 2009
I vote for calling the plant "Costner" after Kevin Costner and the amazing movie "Waterworld."
at 03:51 on December 21st, 2009
Omicron Persei Eight
at 20:15 on December 22nd, 2009
i highly recommend reach because i saw the site and on the bottom reach was all there then this siberius came up
at 18:58 on December 23rd, 2009
Its probably gonna end up being Reach. You know why? Millions of people love the game Halo. There is a planet known as Reach which is what one of there books is called and also what one of their games is called. The new Halo movie which may be made in connection with Stephen Spielburg will also revolve around the planet reach. I personally love this name. Just think... "Planet Reach". How cool is that. "Man's reach exceeds his imagination."
at 00:42 on December 24th, 2009
Lazarus....
at 02:22 on December 24th, 2009
It won't be named Reach, no matter how many (allegedly real) Halo fans wish it so. The odds of the IAU bending to the whims of a hacked online poll from a pop tech magazine are slim and nil.Were it up to me, I'd name the planet Dylan, after the Celtic sea deity of the same name.
at 13:48 on January 4th, 2010
I think Planet Reach would be a great name (and not because of Halo). We can't reach this planet (because it's 40 lightyears away) and what we know is limited to the reaches of our imaginations. (Unfortunately, this reasoning won't last as our technological knowledge grows.) Also, seeing as this planet was discovered during our time period, I think it should be given a name relevant to our time period...something we can all understand and comprehend. "Reach" is a word we all know...those of us who speak the English language anyway. What about the other languages? Shouldn't a bunch of astronomers and scientists from around the world get together and agree on a name like they do when new elements are discovered? That seems much more fair...especially compared to an online pole. Conclusion: Personally, I like Planet Reach, but I believe the name should be decided on fairly...like new elements.
at 05:19 on January 5th, 2010
does it have any link to planeat x
at 03:11 on January 6th, 2010
this planet should be name "NIBURU"
at 12:27 on January 12th, 2010
i cant believe i'm hearin all aver about ths new planet how about we call it Megatron maybe the tranformers live there
at 20:09 on January 12th, 2010
It should be called Reach. The poll is leaning that way anyhow, and this planet represents how short the REACH for other Earths may actually be.
at 20:29 on January 19th, 2010
WHAT THE **** CALL IT REACH YOU CRACKPOTS WHAT KIND OF A POLL IS THAT YOU'VE GOT THERE WITHOUT REACH.
at 05:24 on January 21st, 2010
This world should be called "Siberia"! And who want to call it "Reach" is stupid.. because its bad name for a such a planet...
at 16:12 on January 22nd, 2010
it should be called reach. reach is such a cool name + i am a massive halo fan and with the new game 'halo reach' coming out it would be perfect!
at 07:13 on February 21st, 2010
PLEASE SAID EVERY ONE, DO SOMETHING OUR WORLD.
at 13:07 on March 13th, 2010
it should be called KELASHIN