Update on Gliese 581d’s Habitability

[pokerfan]

The conclusion is that Gliese 581d is potentially habitable. The potential for surface water exists for a “wide range of plausible cases”. Ultimately, they all depend on the precise thickness and composition of any atmosphere. Since the planet does not transit the star, spectral analysis through transmission of starlight through the atmosphere will not be possible. Yet the team suggests that, since the Gliese 581 system is relatively close to Earth (only 20 lightyears), it may be possible to observe the spectra directly in the infrared portion of the spectra using future generations of instruments. Should the observations match the synthetic spectra predicted for the various habitable planets, this would be taken as strong evidence for the habitability of the planet.

http://www.universetoday.com/85474/update-on-gliese-581ds-habitability

[sudopod]

1. kick

[laconicsax]

2. When it says that 581d doesn't transit its star...

Does it mean that its orbit doesn't allow us to observe a transit, or that it's period hasn't given us the opportunity yet?

[Occulus]

3. I think it means its orbit, from our vantage point, doesn't take it between

us and the host star.