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September 16, 2006
Largest Known Planet
It's a planet name HAT-P-1, some 450 light-years from Earth. Normally I'm not impressed by new planetary discoveries because it's obvious more and more will be discovered as our spy glasses into the vastness of space continue to improve. However, I am interested when something discovered wipes the smugness off our Scientist's faces. HAT-P-1 is just that one discovery.
The gas giant is almost twice as large Jupiter but only 1/4 the density. In other words the planet is lighter than water. Find a big enough tub and it'll float in it. The planet turns all known theories about planetary size and density upside down. It was long thought size is directly proportionate to weight. The bigger something gets, the heavier it is, but this planet doesn't follow those rules. Obviously Scientists now have to go back and reevaluate their current theories about planets in our own system. One could say the planet may be larger in size but it might be made of lighter gases. That's true, but there's another theory that says the core of a planet is directly proportionate to it's mass. For a planet this large, it's core should be heavy enough to sink in water. Our current telescopes detect no core at all. A planet with no core?
So kids, moral of the story is, our existence - so far, is only a micro-instance in the corporeal timeline. So much we don't know, but the exciting thing is that means there's more to discover and that's where I think our truth nature exists. Doesn't that excite you more than trivial concerns like making money, getting rich, dying, only to do it all over again? The more you know (star bursts across the screen, twinkles).
Posted by tranism at 4:05 PM | Permalink
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Comments
I really enjoyed reading this post, thank you.
Posted by: Tarsh at September 17, 2006 6:39 AM