[Bas]

First off, don't start to accuse of me techno fetisjism, I have no idea how we ever going to reach these new world, if ever.

However I've been very interested in the "terrestrial planet finder - project" and just found out that the launch date for it has been pushed back from what I believe was 2018, to 2012-2015:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) uses a small collection of high sensitivity telescopes (probably 4 large 3.5-meter telescopes) with revolutionary imaging technologies. It will measure the temperature, size, and the orbital parameters of planets as small as our Earth in the habitable zones of distant solar systems. Also, TPF's spectroscopy will allow atmospheric chemists and biologists to use the relative amounts of gases like carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane and ozone to find whether a planet might support life. Launch is anticipated between 2012-2015.

[Bas]

bump, there must be someone interested in this.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'M')ission Goal - to find Earth-like planets :



The primary scientific goal of TPF is the direct detection and characterization of Earth-like planets that orbit nearby stars. Specifically, TPF will seek answers to these questions:


- Are there Earth-like planets in the "habitable zones" around their parent stars where the surface temperature is capable of supporting liquid water over a range of surface pressures?

- What are the compositions of the atmospheres of terrestrial planets orbiting nearby stars? Is water, carbon monoxide, or carbon dioxide present?

- Are there atmospheric components or conditions attributable to primitive life, such as ozone or molecular oxygen, seen in the Earth's atmosphere?

- How do planets form out of disks of solid and gaseous material around young stars?

[MD]

No snide remarks from me. I expect the multiverse is absolutely stuffed with life end to end . . . or not end . . .

[Bas]

ok, maybe the NASA page will inspire some enthousiasm:

http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/TPF/tpf_index.cfm

[Bas]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MD', 'N')o snide remarks from me. I expect the multiverse is absolutely stuffed with life end to end . . . or not end . . .