Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Andrew K Fletcher on 01/04/2009 18:46:53

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 01/04/2009 18:46:53

http://www.newscientist.com/issue/current

The Planet, discovered by a German physicist Gertrude Schmidt who first tracked the newly forming planet at 14.35 on February the 31st said we are incredibly excited by this find and believe we have much to learn about this developing new planet, thought to be approximately half the size of Mars.

According to Schmidt, it is unlikely to support life and is thought to be cooling down rapidly from it’s creation, estimated to be around 3.5 billion years.

We asked how come it has taken scientists so long to find this planet? Schmidt said; “The planet has been obscured from view until now because it has been orbiting on the inside of an asteroid belt close to the sun.

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: syhprum on 01/04/2009 20:29:33

To my mind this has all the hallmarks of an April fools day tale.

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 01/04/2009 20:34:53

February 31st? Asteroid belt close to the sun? Do me a favour!

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: Bored chemist on 01/04/2009 20:40:56

I particularly liked "thought to be cooling down rapidly from it’s creation, estimated to be around 3.5 billion years."

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: syhprum on 02/04/2009 09:49:38

I am reminded of the Piltdown man skull mystery, who started this story ? I cannot find any mention in The New scientist was it perhaps the invention of  Andrew K Fletcher himself ?.

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 02/04/2009 10:07:39

Quote from: syhprum on 02/04/2009 09:49:38

...was it perhaps the invention of  Andrew K Fletcher himself ?.

Surely not. Andrew would never expect us to believe there are 31 days in February  [::)]

Title: Small planet found close to the sun and obscured by asteroid belt.
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 02/04/2009 10:14:41

:) Glad to have raised an eybrow and a smile.