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New planet GJ 1214 b
A new planet, GJ 1214 b, has been found some 40 l.y. away with 2.678 Earth radius and 6.55 Earth mass. [It was found using a 16-in telescope and a commercially available camera, kind of something someone could have done in his backyard, that's cool even if the planet is hot]. What surprises me is its density, about 1870 kg/m^3, which is consistent with 75% water and 25% rock. I'm no expert in this area, but so much water (or other low density liquid or solid) seems improbable to me. Does anyone know about how the radius was measured? Is it possible that it would be a much denser planet with a very large atmosphere. The atmosphere giving it nearly half its radius? Does anyone think that 75% water for such a large planet is a likely scenario. Alain Fournier |
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