Tatooine - unofficially exists

[Mike21]

A gas giant that orbits two stars.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-16/astronomers-detect-real-life-skywalker-planet/2900948

[michaellxv]

Here's the NASA link http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepler-16b.html (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepler-16b.html) it has some nice animations.

[CraigS]

An Aussie research astronomer working with amateurs … and based in the Australian Astronomical Observatory in Sydney … cool.
(Note: but not involved in this discovery ..)

Ha !…


There is no reason why our methods for categorising and classifying planets, should imply that planets should then conform with these categories.

Its up to science theories to adapt, in the face of observational evidence.

Others are beginning to take note of the diversity message also .. which is heartening.

Cool post, Michael .. thanks.

Cheers

[renormalised]

Nothing new having a planet orbit a binary star...there's a number of them already been found. But nevertheless it's an interesting discovery.

As Craig said....planets will be planets. Solar Systems will be solar systems. Given that we know of a few of them, we can't really say what's weird or not, consider the number of systems we do know is a tiny speck in the total number in the galaxy. Who's to say what's weird.

[renormalised]

Actually, "Tatooine" does exist. It's a city in Tunisia:):)

[multiweb]

That's right. That's where they filmed all the starswars exterior desert scenes.

[gregbradley]

I think this planet is more like Dune - Arrakis.

Greg.