Space Sugar Discovered Around Sun-Like Star - Orbiter-Forum

boogabooga · 08-29-2012, 05:28 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/space-sugar-di...130501414.html

jedidia · 08-29-2012, 05:56 PM

How on earth do you identify a freaking molecule 400 lightyears away???

**Artlav** · 08-29-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedidia

How on earth do you identify a freaking molecule 400 lightyears away???

Spectroscopy.

Quote:

They looked for the emission of certain wavelengths within the radio part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Molecules each emit a distinctive band of radio wavelengths, which can be used as a fingerprint for the molecules.

jedidia · 08-29-2012, 06:11 PM

Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres?

Scav · 08-29-2012, 06:19 PM

An aside:

Sugar Sugar - The Archies - YouTube

(Sorry -- when I read the title, it was the first thing that came to mind.

)

llarian · 08-29-2012, 06:20 PM

It does.

Several of the exoplanets have provided spectrographic data when their stars light passing through their atmospheres have been received and analyzed.

Take a look for how the "water planet" was identified.

Suzy · 09-02-2012, 05:30 AM

So does that mean if alien life were to evolve there it could end up having similar RNA or DNA composition to ours?

RisingFury · 09-02-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedidia

Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres?

Sure it does.

You wait for the planet to pass through the star, that way you get the spectroscopic reading for the planet and start combined. Then you wait for the planet to pass behind the star and you get the spectroscopic reading for the star only. Then you subtract them and you get the reading for the planet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

So does that mean if alien life were to evolve there it could end up having similar RNA or DNA composition to ours?

It means there's lots of cake there... and no lies.

**garyw** · 09-02-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedidia

Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres?

As RF said - it does and here is the proof -> http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/...e-is-laid-bare

**Loru** · 09-02-2012, 11:55 AM

That's really important discovery & IMHO it shows potential of humankind.

Locating & identifying "few" molecues over 400 lightyears away is really impressive achievement. Also it's next step in searching for origin of life.

08-29-2012, 05:28 PM	#1
boogabooga Orbinaut	Space Sugar Discovered Around Sun-Like Star http://news.yahoo.com/space-sugar-di...130501414.html

08-29-2012, 06:20 PM	#6
llarian Orbinaut	It does. Several of the exoplanets have provided spectrographic data when their stars light passing through their atmospheres have been received and analyzed. Take a look for how the "water planet" was identified. Last edited by llarian; 08-30-2012 at 12:38 PM.

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08-29-2012, 05:56 PM	#2
jedidia shoemaker without legs	How on earth do you identify a freaking molecule 400 lightyears away???

08-29-2012, 06:07 PM	#3
Artlav Aperiodic traveller	Quote: Originally Posted by jedidia How on earth do you identify a freaking molecule 400 lightyears away??? Spectroscopy. Quote: They looked for the emission of certain wavelengths within the radio part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Molecules each emit a distinctive band of radio wavelengths, which can be used as a fingerprint for the molecules.

08-29-2012, 06:11 PM	#4
jedidia shoemaker without legs	Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres?

09-02-2012, 05:30 AM	#7
Suzy Orbinaut	So does that mean if alien life were to evolve there it could end up having similar RNA or DNA composition to ours?

09-02-2012, 10:58 AM	#8
RisingFury OBSP developer	Quote: Originally Posted by jedidia Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres? Sure it does. You wait for the planet to pass through the star, that way you get the spectroscopic reading for the planet and start combined. Then you wait for the planet to pass behind the star and you get the spectroscopic reading for the star only. Then you subtract them and you get the reading for the planet. Quote: Originally Posted by Suzy So does that mean if alien life were to evolve there it could end up having similar RNA or DNA composition to ours? It means there's lots of cake there... and no lies.

09-02-2012, 11:47 AM	#9
garyw O-F Administrator	Quote: Originally Posted by jedidia Impressive. Now why does this not work on exoplanetary atmospheres? As RF said - it does and here is the proof -> http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/...e-is-laid-bare

09-02-2012, 11:55 AM	#10
Loru Moderator	That's really important discovery & IMHO it shows potential of humankind. Locating & identifying "few" molecues over 400 lightyears away is really impressive achievement. Also it's next step in searching for origin of life.