Extrasolar Planet GJ1214 b [720p]

This artist's impression shows how the newly discovered super-Earth surrounding the nearby star GJ1214 may look. Discovered by the MEarth project and investigated further with the HARPS spectrograph on ESO's 3.6-meter telescope at La Silla, GJ1214b is the second super-Earth exoplanet for which astronomers have determined the mass and radius, and so giving vital clues about its structure. It is also the first super-Earth around which an atmosphere has been found. The exoplanet, orbiting a small star only 40 light-years away from us, thus opens up dramatic new perspectives in the quest for habitable worlds. The planet, GJ1214b, has a mass about six times that of Earth and its interior is likely mostly made of water ice. It appears to be rather hot and surrounded by a thick atmosphere, which makes it inhospitable for life as we know it on Earth.

Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• GJ1214 b
• GJ1214b
• exoplanet
• water world
• ESO
• European Southern Observatory
• super Earth

[TalesOfKrypton]

This is an awesome vid - did you create it?

[djxatlanta]

@TalesOfKrypton - no, I did not... this was created by Luís Calçada for the European Southern Observatory. Scroll down to the bottom of the text description for this clip, and you'll see proper credit attribution. Thanks for watching!

[djxatlanta]

There's only going to be more to come from here on out. Over 400 planets outside our solar system have been discovered so far -- up until now, they've mostly been giant planets the size of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune. Technology is becoming advanced enough that we're discovering smaller planets and able to tell what their atmospheres and surfaces are made of. :) Very exciting times for astronomers.

[REDTEAM22003]

fake....doesnt say anything about gj124656263565 in the bible so therefore its fake

[djxatlanta]

Every generation throughout the entire span of recorded history has its crackpots that predict the end of the world and lunatics that believe them.

[almondavid]

You may be able to grow life in a spaceship in this century and the technology we have now, the world is changing and although I myself don't believe in 2012 I still think we may be able to live on another planet, maybe not my generation but our kids maybe?

[goodluckpeace44]

I wish you become an astronut

you must study

good luck

[Jeff1accf1fan]

What about that dude that has enough food for 40+ years incase 2012 is real?? :P

[haproductions01]

i doubt we would be able to live there any time soon. because of its long distance from us (40 light years) which means it would take 40+ years to reach it. thats not counting how much food or water we would need for said 40 year journey.

[Jeff1accf1fan]

Oh... I wonder if we will be able to live here? I think scientist's are trying to find SO many earths (like people are saying) because 2012 (which i do not believe in) This exciting to me because ive been wanting to be astronomer ever since i was little. Maybe because bing and bong (a baby show that was two people going around on their couch ship finding new planets) And if anyone finds any more news please message me!