Distant 'waterworld' is confirmed

21st February 2012

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Distant 'waterworld' is confirmed →

The creative use of science and technology is continuing both to extend our understanding of the universe in unexpected directions, as well as serving the purpose of continuing the relentless accumulation of evidence for the Copernican Principle.

The ongoing discovery and classification of exoplanets is also creating a expanded discipline of planetary science that could not have existed in the past because we simply had no information about other planets around other stars. Now that our knowledge about other planetary systems is growing by the day, the need is felt to impose some order on this burgeoning area of knowledge.

The theories and classifications of planets now proposed on a nearly ad hoc basis is likely to eventually result in a discipline of planet science that will be increasingly important to human civilization if we continue to exist and therefore continue to expand into the universe — if, that is, we not do destroy ourselves first.

Already we have “hot Jupiters” and “Super Earths.” With these latest results concerning exoplanet GJ 1214b we now have “waterworlds.” These are, of course, informal labels that will be replaced by formal scientific classifications in the fullness of time, but one expects that these early intuitive labels will stick. And one can only guess at the exotic worlds that are still waiting to be discovered. The Milky Way is a big place, and we have much to learn as its citizens.

This is an exciting time to be alive and to be involved in planetary science.

Tagged: exoplanets astronomy Copernicanism Copernican Principle planetary science GJ 1214b waterworld