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posted by martyb on Thursday August 18 2016, @09:52AM   Printer-friendly
from the that'd-take-18,000-years-at-Helios'-top-speed dept.

Astronomers have reportedly discovered an Earth-like exoplanet in the habitable zone of Proxima Centauri, one of the closest stars to our Sun. However, the claim is based on an anonymous source who is said to have leaked the news ahead of an announcement by the European Southern Observatory:

[In] what may prove to be the most exciting find to date, the German weekly Der Spiegel [translation] announced recently that astronomers have discovered an Earth-like planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, just 4.25 light-years away. Yes, in what is an apparent trifecta, this newly-discovered exoplanet is Earth-like, orbits within it's sun's habitable zone, and is within our reach. But is this too good to be true? [...] Citing anonymous sources, the magazine stated:

The still nameless planet is believed to be Earth-like and orbits at a distance to Proxima Centauri that could allow it to have liquid water on its surface — an important requirement for the emergence of life. Never before have scientists discovered a second Earth that is so close by.

In addition, they claim that the discovery was made by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) using the La Silla Observatory's reflecting telescope. Coincidentally, it was this same observatory that announced the discovery of Alpha Centauri Bb back in 2012, which was also declared to be "the closest exoplanet to Earth". Unfortunately, subsequent analysis cast doubt on its existence, claiming it was a spurious artifact of the data analysis.

However, according to Der Spiegel's unnamed source – whom they claim was involved with the La Silla team that made the find – this latest discovery is the real deal, and was the result of intensive work. "Finding small celestial bodies is a lot of hard work," the source was quoted as saying. "We were moving at the technically feasible limit of measurement." The article goes on to state that the European Southern Observatory (ESO) will be announcing the finding at the end of August. But according to numerous sources, in response to a request for comment by AFP, ESO spokesman Richard Hook refused to confirm or deny the discovery of an exoplanet around Proxima Centauri.

[Continues...]

Here's an article we ran about the possible discovery of Alpha Centauri Bb.

There is some debate about the habitability of red dwarf systems in general. Nevertheless, one of the minds behind Breakthrough Initiatives/Project Starshot is enthused about the possible discovery. It seems likely that at the very least, almost all stars have planets or dwarf planets orbiting them.

Proxima Centauri will move closer to the Earth over the next 26,700 years at a rate of 22.4 km/s, until its closest approach of 3.11 light years.


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  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday August 18 2016, @05:00PM

    by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday August 18 2016, @05:00PM (#389651) Journal

    "Piled Higher and Deeper."

    Why are these cranks always 1) religious and 2) so enamored with tu quoque fallacies, especially false ones?

    --
    I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 18 2016, @08:45PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 18 2016, @08:45PM (#389735)

    fallacies, especially false ones?

    a 'false' fallacy?

    fallacy [n]: (logic) An argument, or apparent argument, which professes to be decisive of the matter at issue, while in reality it is not. A specious argument.

    (Courtesy of The Department of Redundancy Department)

    You need to be more convincing to do what you are trying to do. Improving your language may help. Improving your attitude will help for sure.

    • (Score: 2) by wonkey_monkey on Thursday August 18 2016, @11:19PM

      by wonkey_monkey (279) on Thursday August 18 2016, @11:19PM (#389786) Homepage

      Oh, good, a pedant, just what we need to help clear this up.

      --
      systemd is Roko's Basilisk
    • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday August 19 2016, @03:28AM

      by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Friday August 19 2016, @03:28AM (#389880) Journal

      Someone can commit tu quoque and have it be a "true fallacy" in those terms; for example, if someone's opponent actually is guilty of something the speaker is. "False fallacy" here would be when someone attempts tu quoque and, in addition to being fallacious, is actually wrong. Sorry you don't like the choice of words; you're right that they sound weird, but I think what was said is fairly easily understood. You've, ironically, committed a form of the fallacy fallacy :D

      Also: your concern trolling is noted. I'm gonna need you to take your opinion inside the bathroom, and I'm gonna need you to put them waaaaaay up inside your butthole, Morty. Put 'em *waaaaaaaaaaaaay* up inside there, as far as they can go.

      --
      I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...