PV Gap

Ellen Said:

What is the Extra-Solar system that looks more like our own one?

We Answered:

You are probably looking for the one that had a Jupiter mass like planet and several others in low eccentricity orbits at about the distance of Jupiter.

Here is a link to an ES catalogue that has been faithfully kept complete and up to date for about 10 years.

http://vo.obspm.fr/exoplanetes/encyclo/c…

I think you are thinking of HD 69830 (http://vo.obspm.fr/exoplanetes/encyclo/c…

Katherine Said:

is it true if there are more than 1 solar system?

We Answered:

Yes, there are hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy alone and all of them have their own "star system." As for how many have planets orbiting them, we have found hundreds of planets orbiting other stars and think that most stars have planets orbiting them.

Georgia Said:

scientists know more about the solar system than our own planet! why don't they explore earth more?

We Answered:

Actually I totally dispute your assertion that we know more about the solar system than the earth. Please cite your source?????

Scientists (and most people for that) here on earth know a bucket load about earth in very high detail - like all the living things and ecosystems for example where should I stop with this I could go on and on and on and not stop reciting known facts about earth. We have a long way to go before we overtake knowledge of the earth with knowledge of the solar system.

Jason Said:

Aren't you getting a little bored of our solar system?

We Answered:

Yes, I follow your thought on this. Still, earlier scientists with that attitude might never have discovered the things that we now take for granted. Things that were big news then. The other extrasolar planets out there are too far away at this time, but we are still finding new stuff here - the "tropical storm" on titan - the unexplained CH4 on Mars. It is at least possible, that the solar system has more surprises for us.

Clarence Said:

How have space probes helped ordinary humakkind learn more about space and the solar system?

We Answered:

This is a very, VERY big subject...there's simply not enough room to answer it adequately here, but I'll try.

Space probes are typically equipped with a number of different scientific devices that tell us a great deal about planets once they get up close. Magnetometers tell us about a planet's magnetic field, which tell us something about what's going on inside. Spectrometers measure light at a range of different frequencies, which tell us what the surface of the planet is made of (this is how we knew in advance about hematite on the surface of Mars, which suggested liquid water and was the reason for landing the rovers there). The path that probes follow tell us a lot about the solar wind they fly through as well as the nature of the heliopause (the edge of of the solar system). In planetary probes, radar gives us accurate topographical maps and sub-surface characteristics of our nearby neighbors, yielding valuable clues as to their geological history. Solar probes positioned at the Lagrange points give us sharp images of the suns corona that we could never achieve on earth, telling us much about its make-up and internal workings. Radiometers tell us about radiation throughout the solar system, which contribute to our understanding of internal planetary processes and where the danger-spots are for future space probes and human travelers.

During planetary atmospheric descents accelerometers, thermometric sensors, ion-charge sensors, pressure sensors, aerosol collectors and gas chromatograph mass spectrometers tell us about atmospheric composition. Doppler radar tells us about wind patterns. Spectral radiometers tells us about radiation flow patterns. Once on the surface a whole range of other sensors kick in telling us even more information about ground conditions.

All of these things gives us incredibly valuable information, and when put together paint a cohesive picture about the solar system in which we live and how it came to be. It's an extension of how geologists all over the world crack open rocks in whatever region they are studying and add it to the overall knowledge of our planet.

Most important of all, space probes return photographs. These images, which can be viewed and admired by all, kindle the fire inside us to continue the process of exploration and learn more about the universe in which we live.

Imagine if the earth hadn't been fully explored yet and America had still not been discovered. Now imagine that we didn't have the technology to send ships of people there, but that we could send unmanned ships to take photos and soil samples and measurements of the ocean currents around it and of earthquake activity and topographical maps of the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Canyon and chemical analysis of the Great Lakes. Would we do it? You bet! That's what space probes do for us!