Not squid, but more cool science anyway

**English assassin** · 03-30-2007, 10:03

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6506081.stm

The dual suns that rise and set over Luke Skywalker's homeworld in the film Star Wars may be more than just fantasy, according to data from Nasa.
In a classic scene from the 1977 movie, the hero gazes into the distance as two yellow suns set on the horizon.

Nasa's Spitzer Space Telescope has found that planetary systems are as common around double stars as they are around single stars, like our own Sun.

First class stuff from NASA. This is how to spend taxes.

Now, where is my lightsabre.

**BDC** · 03-30-2007, 11:35

Seems fun. You could have a really expensive, romantic resort. Two sunsets a night. How awesome.

**Watchman** · 03-30-2007, 13:27

That is, of course, assuming the planet isn't tide-locked and getting scorched varyingly by both stars in turn...

**Louis VI the Fat** · 03-30-2007, 13:46

Originally Posted by Watchman

That is, of course, assuming the planet isn't tide-locked and getting scorched varyingly by both stars in turn...

You're not a Trekkie, are you? Gah, I'm telling you, that Star Wars stuff is real. These new findings prove that Tatooine is a real planet. So we was right all along, and your Trekkie 'real science' stuff is nothing but cynicism and envy.

**Watchman** · 03-30-2007, 15:18

Naw. In spite of the huge gaping logic holes throughout and the very questionable dualistic basic ideas I actually dig Star Wars rather more than Trek. Whatever their other faults may be, the first two movies in particular are quality space opera entertainment that have withstood time quite well, especially given they were made in the what, late Seventies or so.

Trek with its brow-furrow alien races of the week can stuff it far as I'm concerned, although it does get brownie points for having coined concepts like "redshirt" to common parlance.

Plus Trek doesn't have any character as even remotely campy cool as Vader.

**rory_20_uk** · 03-30-2007, 15:24

We don't know what is in the rainforests. We don't know what is in the ocean. But we can waste money on seeing if planets have two suns!!!

NASA, I salute you

**Gregoshi** · 03-30-2007, 20:24

Originally Posted by Watchman

That is, of course, assuming the planet isn't tide-locked and getting scorched varyingly by both stars in turn...

Tatooine is a desert world...

rory, there are people researching rainforests and oceans on Earth - and some of the data for that research is compliments of satellites put into orbit by NASA. Also, by looking out into the universe, we may see other planets and stars which may help us understand what the future may hold for us here on Earth with regards to weather, geology, chemistry, physics, biology (life!), stellar life cycles, etc. The fact that we can detect - and even see in some cases - planets revolving around other stars is something that wasn't possible 20 years ago. The more and better we can see the rest of the universe, the more we can learn about how our own planet works.

**Whacker** · 03-30-2007, 21:20

Originally Posted by Gregoshi

Tatooine is a desert world...

rory, there are people researching rainforests and oceans on Earth - and some of the data for that research is compliments of satellites put into orbit by NASA. Also, by looking out into the universe, we may see other planets and stars which may help us understand what the future may hold for us here on Earth with regards to weather, geology, chemistry, physics, biology (life!), stellar life cycles, etc. The fact that we can detect - and even see in some cases - planets revolving around other stars is something that wasn't possible 20 years ago. The more and better we can see the rest of the universe, the more we can learn about how our own planet works.

All well and good, but pointless seeing how one of these suckers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_string is going obliterate us and our solar system any day now.

**Gregoshi** · 03-30-2007, 21:34

Who knew the apple that fell on Newton's head would have such far ranging impact on us? Some of the things being researched in space may never have an effect on life on Earth (for good or ill), but if we don't try to understand what we find in the universe, how will we know?