Got 20 spare years?

[Griff]

And a craft capable of light speed?

An Earth-like planet spotted outside our solar system is the first found that could support liquid water and harbor life, scientists announced today.

Liquid water is a key ingredient for life as we know it. The newfound planet is located at the "Goldilocks" distance—not too close and not too far from its star to keep water on its surface from freezing or vaporizing away.

And while astronomers are not yet able to look for signs of biology on the planet, the discovery is a milestone in planet detection and the search for extraterrestrial life, one with the potential to profoundly change our outlook on the universe.

”The goal is to find life on a planet like the Earth around a star like the Sun. This is a step in that direction,” said study leader Stephane Udry of the Geneva Observatory in Switzerland. “Each time you go one step forward you are very happy.”

The new planet is about 50 percent bigger than Earth and about five times more massive. The new “super-Earth” is called Gliese 581 C, after its star, Gliese 581, a diminutive red dwarf star located 20.5 light-years away that is about one-third as massive as the Sun.

[piercehawkeye45]

Good thing we have time before we have to consider going there.

If we actually did have to live there it would be extremely tough especially with gravity (I would weigh 90 more lbs than I do now) and with the new atmosphere. Very cool though, I would like to see a probe go there but that is very doubtful in my lifetime.

[freshnesschronic]

I wish I was a human living in the generatio where we meet aliens. Think of the intergalactic diplomacy!

[piercehawkeye45]

The chances of us meeting a species that is even close to our technology level is very very very small. If we meet aliens they would probably just be microrganisms.

[Happy Monkey]

If we find them, they'll be microorganisms.

If they find us, they'll be Vorlons.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Nuke it, we don't need no stinkin' competition.

[Beestie]

All I can tell you is heed the words of Emperor Ming.

[9th Engineer]

One more reason to push for more funding for the technology to allow humans to live away from Earth permanently. At that distance you'd be talking a multi-generational colonist ship, far beyond what we can produce now and well within what most people think of as science fiction.
But we can start the 'To Do List' anytime now.

1) Space elevator for efficient movement of passengers and equipment into orbit.
2) Survey missions to the moon and local astral bodies for mineral and chemical deposits.
3) Technology and facilities to sustain humans during extremely long duration trips to space (multiple years) even for intrasystem travel.
4) Facilities for large scale manufacturing in low gravity conditions.

Does the potential for technological advancement give anyone else here tingles?

[piercehawkeye45]

Its cool but I don't any of that will be possible in our lifetime.

[Happy Monkey]

At 20 ly, if we had a ship with 1G accelleration, it would take about 6 years from the perspective of the crew to land there. Over 90 years from the perspective of Earth. And, of course, another 20 for them to let us know how the landing went.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

At 20 ly, if we had a ship with 1G accelleration, it would take about 6 years from the perspective of the crew to land there. Over 90 years from the perspective of Earth. And, of course, another 20 for them to let us know how the landing went.

Is that 1G of constant acceleration all the way there, or 1G of acceleration until you get to the midpoint and then turn the ship around and do 1G of deceleration to come to a stop?

If it's constant acceleration the whole time, then how hard is it to stop? Can you just toss an anchor out the window as you shoot by the planet?

[elSicomoro]

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for 20 light years today.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by glatt

Is that 1G of constant acceleration all the way there, or 1G of acceleration until you get to the midpoint and then turn the ship around and do 1G of deceleration to come to a stop?

The latter. I guesstimated based on these examples. A math fan could figure out the real numbers.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

A math fan could figure out the real numbers.

I was hoping to trick you into doing the work for me. I don't care enough to do any work to figure it out.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by HM's link

The next problem you have to solve is shielding. As you approach the speed of light you will be heading into an increasingly energetic and intense bombardment of cosmic rays and other particles. After only a few years of 1g acceleration even the cosmic background radiation is Doppler shifted into a lethal heat bath hot enough to melt all known materials.

Well, shit. Back to the drawing board.