Astronomers do it Again: Find Organic Molecules Around Gas Planet

Astronomers do it Again: Find Organic Molecules Around Gas Planet

www.nasa.gov

Peering far beyond our solar system, NASA researchers have detected the basic chemistry for life in a second hot gas planet, advancing astronomers toward the goal of being able to characterize planets where life could exist. The planet is not habitable but it has the same chemistry that, if found around a rocky planet in the future, could indicate the presence of life.

"It's the second planet outside our solar system in which water, methane and carbon dioxide have been found, which are potentially important for biological processes in habitable planets," said researcher Mark Swain of NA

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Wow - we've had a virtual wealth of new information about extrasolar planets coming out this week! How exciting! Are we being prepared, as some here have suggested, for a major announcment concering extraterrestrial life? Maybe so, maybe not - but I'm very excited to be around during this age of planetary science!

www.nasa.gov
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 10/20/09 by WickedStar]

I wish the media would talk about stuff like this more. This could be the discovery of a lifetime.