http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/10/11/scientist-claims-strange-signal-comes-alien-planet/?test=latestnews
Strange Signal Comes From Alien Planet, Scientist Says


Published October 11, 2010

| Space.com

The recent discovery of Gliese 581g, an alien planet in the habitable zone of another star, has been an exciting development for scientists probing the galaxy for signs of extraterrestrial life. At least one claim of a possible signal from the planet has already surfaced – and been met with harsh skepticism among the science community.

Yes, planet 'g' in the Gliese 581 system is an intriguing target for a SETI search. As we find more habitable planets, targeted searches of these should improve the chances of finding a real signal. Radio signals have already been aimed at the Gliese 581 system, on the previous assumption that planet 'c' was habitable. This now appears less likely, but planet 'g' will also receive these signals. If there is anyone there to hear them, and respond in kind, we should hear back from them in about 40 years. Michael

Still, at least we have one target planet to look for signals. Hopefully we will have many, many more soon!

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Steve Pomeroy
Master of math magic and math tricks.

The recent news stories connecting Dr. Ragbir Bhathal's 2008 detection of a laser-like pulse with the Gliese 581 star system are erroneous. His actual detection was from the constellation Tucana, approximately 60 degrees farther south. The misunderstanding seems to have arisen from a 2009 article which discussed his results, then immediately went on to mention the detection of planets in the Gliese 581 system. It did not help matters that Dr. Bhathal declined, for a time, to specify the location of his detection. He has since done so. A web search for 2009 articles, combining the terms 'Ragbir Bathal' and 'Tucana' will produce results confirming the error. Michael

sounds like a toy Dr. Michio Kaku, would play with. He loves Sci-Fi.

This story just got better!!!!!!

The UK Daily Mail are reporting that Dr. Ragbir Bhathal, an Australian SETI scientist detected a laser beam type signal from the Gliese 581 system about 2 years ago, before they knew about the new Gliese 581G planet;

UK Daily Mail story; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1316538/Gliese-581g-mystery-Scientist-spotted-mysterious-pulse-light-direction-newEarth-planet-year.html?ITO=1490

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Seems the aliens on the Gliese 581G planet are playing with those cheap laser pointer pens they make for a dollar in Taiwan. LOL



John.

ABC NEWS

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=11759961
Could 'Goldilocks' Planet Be Just Right for Life?

Thanks for all those links, Johnney Guinness.

The link on MSNBC, someone said they are not sure if it's a rocky planet.

I'm with you on not being too optimistic yet. Seems if there is life on this planet, it's not like live as we know it here. Gliese 581, maybe some day they will send us an S.O.S. Much more needs to be determined.
Betcha, Carl Sagan, would say we need more proof.

Thanks again,
lynn/Coco

Looks like its the genuine article, an Earth-like planet orbiting in the habitable zone of its star! Very exciting news!

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NSF press release; http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117765&org=NSF&from=news

NSF TV webcast (62 minutes); http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_videos.jsp?cntn_id=117765&media_id=68454&org=NSF

NSF science paper; http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsmedia/goldilocks_planet/goldilocks_paper_gliese581.pdf

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More news stories;
Washington Post; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/29/AR2010092907492.html

New York Times; http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/science/space/30planet.html

TIME magazine; http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2022489,00.html

msnbc.com Cosmic Log; http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/09/29/5202633-alien-planet-looks-just-right-for-life

Independent (UK news paper); http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-rife-for-life-2093292.html

Daily Mail (UK news paper); http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1316243/Is-new-Earth-Planet-20-light-years-away-lies-Goldilocks-zone-support-life.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

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Personally myself, i'm not as optimistic as the astronomers that discovered the planet. Steven Vogt, one of the astronomers that discovered the planet said in the NSF webcast that he was 100% sure life existed on Gliese 581g.

I think this is highly unlikely. The planet is tidally locked to its star and for all we know, it could well be bathing in radiation from its star and the surface could be hotter than Venus.

But its still a promising candidate!

John.

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Hopefully we'll be able to make a probe that can get there at some point in my life.

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This popped up on CNN.COM tonight ..
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2022489,00.html?hpt=T2

Hey Scottie.... Beam me up!!!!!

"We had planets on both sides of the habitable zone -- one too hot and one too cold -- and now we have one in the middle that's just right," Vogt said, recalling the porridge that Goldilocks found in the children's story "The Three Bears."

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/09/29/odds-life-newfound-earth-size-planet-percent-astronomer-say/
Odds of Life on Newfound Earth-Size Planet '100 Percent,' Astronomer Say

Published September 29, 2010

| Space.com

An Earth-size planet has been spotted orbiting a nearby star at a distance that would makes it not too hot and not too cold — comfortable enough for life to exist, researchers announced today (Sept. 29).

If confirmed, the exoplanet, named Gliese 581g, would be the first Earth-like world found residing in a star's habitable zone — a region where a planet's temperature could sustain liquid water on its surface.