6/27/2005: Evidence of planets in new Hubble image

Undertoad · 06-27-2005, 10:37 AM

Didn't note who submitted this - a recent Hubble space telescope image release.

The image alone doesn't tell the story; this Discovery Channel story explains it better.

Astronomers looking at one the brightest stars in the southern sky have made a surprise discovery: it has been hiding a bright, visible ring of dust that just screams "Planets!"

Fomalhaut, 23 light-years from Earth, is the 17th brightest star in the night sky, residing in the Southern Fish constellation (Piscis Austrinus), so it's easy to see with the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. But it took the Hubble Space Telescope with a clever device to block out the glaring light of the star itself and see the graceful, elongated band of dust.

Yeah. You thought the aliens were from Mars. Nope, they're from Fomalhaut! The problem is, they can't see us due to all that dust. If we can get to them, surely they'll have developed the greatest vacuum cleaners in the universe.

wolf · 06-27-2005, 10:41 AM

I sent you a link to a different story about the formation.

n3v3r · 06-27-2005, 11:00 AM

Isn't that actually just the eye of Sauron?

Undertoad · 06-27-2005, 11:32 AM

A very good story, thanks Wolf! Two people submitted it then... bloody hell I've got to get that submission page done.

Trilby · 06-27-2005, 12:09 PM

So. Freakin'. Cool. Looks like an Amber Cat's eye to me. Simply gorgeous!

BigV · 06-27-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

A very good story, thanks Wolf! Two people submitted it then... bloody hell I've got to get that submission page done.

*raises hand* Credit for the submission is less important to me today than the fact that I backed a winner! Yay! Plus, that is one cool picture!!

Sweets · 06-27-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n3v3r

Isn't that actually just the eye of Sauron?

HAHA that was EXACTLY my first thought.

I think it's kind of creepy, actually! Only 23 light years? That's amazingly close. I find these images absolutley amazing! I wish we would begin human space exploration! I would so be there. SO be there.

capnhowdy · 06-27-2005, 07:38 PM

Awesome.
Things I'd like to own:
1) A telescope like that. ( I've got a "good" one but compared to this?....whew)
2) To have the equipment to take pictures like this.

What I wish tonight:
That is wasn't raining here & I could look at that tri-planet thingie in the western sky. Can't wait for the images on that!.....hint hint [UT]........
Great Iotd.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-27-2005, 09:12 PM

Hmmm.

BigV · 06-28-2005, 09:23 AM

Dude, you crack me up!!! hahahahahahah!!!

And · 06-29-2005, 05:47 PM

Well, if I remember Star Control 3 correctly, the morose and depressive Utwig inhabit at least one planet around that star... Does anyone have a working Ultron handy?

06-27-2005, 10:37 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	6/27/2005: Evidence of planets in new Hubble image Didn't note who submitted this - a recent Hubble space telescope image release. The image alone doesn't tell the story; this Discovery Channel story explains it better. Astronomers looking at one the brightest stars in the southern sky have made a surprise discovery: it has been hiding a bright, visible ring of dust that just screams "Planets!" Fomalhaut, 23 light-years from Earth, is the 17th brightest star in the night sky, residing in the Southern Fish constellation (Piscis Austrinus), so it's easy to see with the naked eye from the southern hemisphere. But it took the Hubble Space Telescope with a clever device to block out the glaring light of the star itself and see the graceful, elongated band of dust. Yeah. You thought the aliens were from Mars. Nope, they're from Fomalhaut! The problem is, they can't see us due to all that dust. If we can get to them, surely they'll have developed the greatest vacuum cleaners in the universe.

06-27-2005, 10:41 AM	#2
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I sent you a link to a different story about the formation. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis Last edited by wolf; 06-27-2005 at 11:06 AM.

06-27-2005, 12:09 PM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	So. Freakin'. Cool. Looks like an Amber Cat's eye to me. Simply gorgeous! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

06-27-2005, 07:38 PM	#8
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Awesome. Things I'd like to own: 1) A telescope like that. ( I've got a "good" one but compared to this?....whew) 2) To have the equipment to take pictures like this. What I wish tonight: That is wasn't raining here & I could look at that tri-planet thingie in the western sky. Can't wait for the images on that!.....hint hint [UT]........ Great Iotd. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please. Last edited by capnhowdy; 06-27-2005 at 07:41 PM.

06-27-2005, 09:12 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Hmmm. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 05:56 PM.

06-27-2005, 11:00 AM	#3
n3v3r Neophyte-in-training Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3	Isn't that actually just the eye of Sauron?

06-27-2005, 11:32 AM	#4
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	A very good story, thanks Wolf! Two people submitted it then... bloody hell I've got to get that submission page done.

06-28-2005, 09:23 AM	#10
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Dude, you crack me up!!! hahahahahahah!!! __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-29-2005, 05:47 PM	#11
And Conjunction Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Conjunction Junction Posts: 168	Well, if I remember Star Control 3 correctly, the morose and depressive Utwig inhabit at least one planet around that star... Does anyone have a working Ultron handy? __________________ -And, Word Wrangler and Keeper of the Cuttlefish.

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