Scientists Discover 'Super-Earths' 42-Light Years Away, Regular Earth Gets Depressed

So scientists have discovered what they're dubbing "super-Earths" circling a star 42-light years away. That's an artist's depiction of what they might look like if they were identical in appearance to earth and weren't actually pink with purple polka-dots like I know they are. Three have been identified so far, and they were detected not by sight, but by the effects they have on the star they orbit.

Using a new tool to study more than 100 stars once thought to be devoid of planets, the Swiss-French team found that about one-third had planets that are only slightly bigger than Earth.

That's how the star with three super-Earths, 42 light-years away, was spotted. The European team took a second look with a relatively new instrument that measures tiny changes in light wave lengths and is so sensitive that it is precisely positioned and locked in a special room below the observatory in Chile. And the key is kept in Switzerland, scientists say.

So, you're probably still wondering what the hell a super-Earth is, aren't you? Well you're in luck, because I'm a scientist and I just happen to know. Super-Earths are planets similar to Earth, but have gained super powers -- like the ability to see through another planet's shirt and ogle its mountains.

Astronomers find 'super Earths' circling a star [yahoonews]

Thanks and HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to loyal Geekologie operative Altaire

• Scientists Find Watery, Earth-Like Planet?

  April 22, 2009

  Earth Day Fools! Oh, wait, no. Apparently this is real, and only 20.5 light-years away! Ladies and gentlemen -- start your rocket engines. PSSSSHOOOOOOOOW! PEW PEW. The Gliese 581 planetary system now has four known planets, with masses of about 1.9 (planet e, left in the... / Continue →
• I CLAIM IT: Potentially Earth-Like Planet Found Nearby

  December 20, 2012

  Astronomers have discovered what they believe is a five-planet solar system orbiting Tau Ceti, a star with very similar luminosity to our sun. And one of those planets is the proper distance away from its sun "to sport mild temperatures, oceans of liquid water, and even life." ... / Continue →
• Hubble Captures Disk Galaxy From The Side

  November 9, 2010

  This is a picture of the NGC 4452 disk galaxy (which will now be affectionately known as the 'flat-ass' or 'eat a cheeseburger' galaxy) taken by the Hubble Space Telescope from the side. That's why it looks like the way it does. Cause otherwise it would look like a disk. D... / Continue →