Kepler-22B: Overhyped Or Potential New Home? New 0 by Astronomyjc with
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http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 1 minute ago 0 Kepler-22b: Overhyped or potential new home? new 0 By astronomyjc with ... Like Tweet The transcript for the 18th meeting of the astronomy twitter journal club. We discussed the recent announcement of, and subsequent excitable media response to, exoplanet Kepler-22b. http://astrojournalclub.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/this-weeks-meeting-kepler-22b-hype-or-new- home/ What would you like to discuss in #astrojc this week? astronomyjc 2 days ago @astronomyjc I think we should have @Matt_Burleigh discussing Kepler 22b :-) wikimir 2 days ago @wikimir @astronomyjc love to.... If/when a paper ever appears..... Matt_Burleigh 2 days ago @Matt_Burleigh @astronomyjc Yes, good point! wikimir 2 days ago @astronomyjc Kepler-22b? antisophista 2 days ago @astronomyjc more info on kepler-22b here http://t.co/qaAzBDyD and here http://t.co/9I1pSMQW (via @astrobites) #astrojc antisophista 2 days ago Votes for Kepler22b (@antisophista & @wikimir) but there's no paper yet as @Matt_Burleigh points out How about we discuss the hype? #astrojc astronomyjc 1 day ago @astronomyjc yes, please discuss Kepler 22b hype (Topic of my astro tutorial with 3rd yr undergrads today) incl. range in planet's temp & g. Paul_Crowther 1 day ago By popular demand (i.e. 3 votes) #astrojc will discuss Kepler22b & the surrounding hype tomorrow, 20:10 GMT http://t.co/s2HhJ3t2 astronomyjc 1 day ago “@AstroPHYPapers: Kepler-22b: A 2.4 Earth-radius Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Sun- like Star. http://t.co/xMrNYAa9” cc @astronomyjc antisophista 1 day ago There's now a paper to go with the Kepler-22b press release http://t.co/SZZdY89R #astrojc astronomyjc 1 day ago Page 1 of 16 http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 astronomyjc 1 day ago #astrojc MT @KarenLMasters: "what scientists were quick to label a twin of Earth" http://t.co/upLAp8DL - yes it's all the scientists fault! astronomyjc 22 hours ago "Kepler 22b – hype or new home?" #astrojc discussion tonight, 20:10GMT - Please join in! I might not have... http://t.co/JccBGMVf Astronomnomy 20 hours ago Another Earth? http://t.co/gHqHbqVG incl. "In truth, the term `Earthlike' is a stretch" via @TheEconomist HEC: http://t.co/P5hrpuFC #astrojc Paul_Crowther 16 hours ago Hi everyone & welcome to the 18th meeting of #astrojc. Today's topic: Kepler-22b - new home or much hype? astronomyjc 15 hours ago (preview & links: http://t.co/3cwRIo5h ) #astrojc astronomyjc 15 hours ago All discussion contributions up to and including ranting welcome! #astrojc astronomyjc 15 hours ago Hi everyone, greetingz from the Netherlands, situated too in the habitable zone. #astrojc AdrianusV 15 hours ago #astrojc Hello, I'm Matthew - my views are already on record, 'cause I wrote the "habitability primer" on the JC page. DrMRFrancis 15 hours ago From the abstract: "Although there is no evidence that Kepler-22b is a rocky planet... #astrojc astronomyjc 15 hours ago ..., it is the first confirmed planet with a measured radius to orbit in the Habitable Zone of any star other than the Sun." #astrojc astronomyjc 15 hours ago Does that statement justify the hype? #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago (here's the paper BTW http://t.co/SZZdY89R It came out today, several days after the press release) #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago Seems clear that much hype from the media at least. Main issue is whthr or not this is good for Astronomy or not #astrojc Page 2 of 16 http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 wikimir 14 hours ago @astronomyjc don't think so, we have also HD 85512 b and Gliese 581 d. Both are confirmed too. #astrojc AdrianusV 14 hours ago @AdrianusV Radii aren't known for those, and isn't Gliese 581 d in question? #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago @wikimir Could argue that all publicity is good publicity.... #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago To be fair, press release didn't claim it's an Earth twin - that was media hype after the fact. #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago @wikimir Though I do worry that when we do finally find a true 'Earth-twin' the public won't care because media cried wolf before #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago @astronomyjc That is essentially the issue. Concern might be that you can only cry wolf so many times #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago The main issue is that news is more political than scientific. Kepler struggles to get mission life extended #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @astronomyjc couldn't agree more #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @DrMRFrancis Exactly - press release was much more measured: "This is a major milestone on the road to finding Earth's twin" #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago (NASA press release is at http://t.co/X4VQtawW) #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago And it *is* and interesting object - I love thinking & writing about it. We just need to spread the love w/out hype. #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago @antisophista Could you briefly summarise the political situation re Kepler - I'm not really sure how it stands #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago Page 3 of 16 http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 Does seem like the press release was quite measured and the media went a little over the top #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago @astronomyjc as far as I know, Kepler is at the end of its expected mission life time. They need to get funds to keep it going. #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @DrMRFrancis How can we make sure that's the message the media get though? #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago Do you know the Habitable Exoplanets Catalog (HEC)? http://t.co/4Dy5yY7N It contains 2 "confirmed" exoplanets in habitable zone. #astrojc AdrianusV 14 hours ago #astrojc IMO, Kepler-22 paper is convincing and appropriate. Hype is inevitable, but Wash. Post article is balanced http://t.co/aKax1YZe johngizis 14 hours ago @astronomyjc That's always a tough question. We should write, and submit, and infiltrate the media. ;) #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago launch was in 2009. Mission lifetime of 3.5 years. So it is nearly over. #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago Part of the problem is that soundbites are easy, but determining actual habitability takes background and nuance. #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago @antisophista @astronomyjc Is there real value in extending life? Kepler's chances of finding true Earth-twin slim #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago @antisophista There's definitely anger around at possible political playing: http://t.co/yeOSwJyO #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago Some people from PLATO mission (e.g. Don Pollacco) are complaining http://t.co/qaAzBDyD #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago I think planets like Kepler-22b, HD 85512 b and Gliese 581 will make it easier to get budgets for Kepler successor. #astrojc AdrianusV 14 hours ago @wikimir that's why the press release is so blown up. they're trying to sell us and the public Page 4 of 16 http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 promises... "we're nearly there" #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @astronomyjc Was going to ask what people thought of this BBC article #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago @astronomyjc To be fair, Kepler team: "major milestone on the road to finding Earth's twin" is more measured than media's reaction. #astrojc Paul_Crowther 14 hours ago #astrojc MT @Kepler22b_REAL We're both homey & the most hype planet. Let me know if you have questions as I am THE planet itself, Kepler22b. astronomyjc 14 hours ago what's also at least a little bit strange: paper will be published in ApJ and not Nature or Science... #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @antisophista Certainly, but it may be optimal to what for successor rather than extend Kepler (for example). #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago I think the accusation is mostly unfair. Reasonable to promote the science, esp. in the face of ending the mission. #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago #astrojc Why is there a desire to find an Earth-twin? Surely anything that can possibly support life is desirable to find? iaconnelly 14 hours ago Kepler extension would extend detection stats in orbital radius/period, slightly in radius? add uniquely to primary mission numbers #astrojc NGC3314 14 hours ago @antisophista I don't think that's so strange - ApJ is more technical than either Nature or Science - aimed at professionals. #astrojc DrMRFrancis 14 hours ago @antisophista what's wrong with publishing in ApJ? #astrojc AdrianusV 14 hours ago @iaconnelly An 'Earth-twin' is an easy sell to the public - I think that's why it's a popular concept #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago @DrMRFrancis Absolutely, it does seem like the hype was the media rather than anything else #astrojc Page 5 of 16 http://chirpstory.com/dialog_embed/3351 09/12/2011 11:16 wikimir 14 hours ago @AdrianusV nothing at all. But usually the work of these kind of press releases appear in Nature... all I am saying #astrojc antisophista 14 hours ago @DrMRFrancis @antisophista Yes but Nature or Science is where you'd generally put a big splashy result surely? #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago @Kepler22b_REAL Anything to add to our discussion? Are you over-hyped? #astrojc astronomyjc 14 hours ago Seems like we still haven't addressed if this kind of coverage is ultimately good for us or not #astrojc wikimir 14 hours ago @DrMRFrancis @antisophista WMAP went to ApJ but I thought it odd. Nature/Science (incl supp material) is plenty technical enough #astrojc StephenSerjeant 14 hours ago @astronomyjc @antisophista choice of journal may be mandated by other things, incl.