2828: Exoplanet Observation - Revision history

FaviFake: /* Explanation */

2025-06-17T09:02:07Z

‎Explanation

CalibansCreations: /* Transcript */ it's complete enough to me

2024-11-11T13:48:21Z

‎Transcript: it's complete enough to me

42.book.addict: added Category:Ghosts using HotCat

2024-11-04T19:47:40Z

added Category:Ghosts using HotCat

Asdf: /* Transcript */ added more

2024-09-29T07:56:10Z

‎Transcript: added more

162.158.94.101: Expanded explanation slightly. Marked complete

2023-10-15T14:55:50Z

Expanded explanation slightly. Marked complete

ProphetZarquon: /* Explanation */ in Latin, "specter" is also used as a word for shadow; giving rise to the term "shade" as used to refer to ghosts

2023-09-14T16:53:08Z

‎Explanation: in Latin, "specter" is also used as a word for shadow; giving rise to the term "shade" as used to refer to ghosts

Hddqsb at 12:00, 14 September 2023

2023-09-14T12:00:27Z

Hddqsb: /* Explanation */ move short explanation to top, various edits

2023-09-14T11:59:07Z

‎Explanation: move short explanation to top, various edits

Hddqsb: /* Explanation */ move definition of "spectral analysis" to start, explicitly state pun, various other edit

2023-09-14T11:24:17Z

‎Explanation: move definition of "spectral analysis" to start, explicitly state pun, various other edit

Burnsides: American specter over spectre, and / instead of \

2023-09-13T22:37:50Z

American specter over spectre, and / instead of \

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 In this comic, Cueball states that observations of light that passed through the atmosphere of a distant planet indicate that there are ghosts on that planet, because some of the light was absorbed in a way that is unique to ghosts. This is analogous to how gases or suspended particles absorb certain wavelengths, allowing scientists to identify properties of distant objects using telescopes. The pun is that in this comic "spectral analysis" refers to both {{w|Spectroscopy|the analysis of the light spectrum}} and the analysis of specters (ghosts).
-{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
+{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on Earth is [https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b only produced by life]. If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
 "Spectral" also has another meaning: relating to specters (ghosts). Hence "exoplanet spectral analysis" could be interpreted as the analysis of ghosts on planets outside the solar system instead of the analysis of the elements that might be present on the planet. "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible shadow or ghost.

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 ==Transcript==
 :[Cueball is holding a stick and pointing at a slide with two ghosts and a planet. The slide has unreadable scribbles of text and arrows pointing from the two ghosts toward the planet.]
 :Cueball: When the planet passed in front of its host star, some of the light was absorbed by ghosts, indicating that the planet is likely haunted.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:47, 4 November 2024
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 ==Transcript==
 {{incomplete transcript|Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
-:: [Cueball is holding a stick and pointing at a slide with two ghosts and a planet]
+:[Cueball is holding a stick and pointing at a slide with two ghosts and a planet. The slide has unreadable scribbles of text and arrows pointing from the two ghosts toward the planet.]
-:: Cueball: When the planet passed in front of its host star, some of the light was absorbed by ghosts, indicating that the planet is likely haunted.
+:Cueball: When the planet passed in front of its host star, some of the light was absorbed by ghosts, indicating that the planet is likely haunted.
-:: [Caption below the panel]
+:[Caption below the panel]
-:: Exoplanet Spectral Analysis
+:Exoplanet Spectral Analysis
 {{comic discussion}}

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Explanation==
 In this comic, Cueball states that observations of light that passed through the atmosphere of a distant planet indicate that there are ghosts on that planet, because some of the light was absorbed in a way that is unique to ghosts. This is analogous to how gases or suspended particles absorb certain wavelengths, allowing scientists to identify properties of distant objects using telescopes. The pun is that in this comic "spectral analysis" refers to both {{w|Spectroscopy|the analysis of the light spectrum}} and the analysis of specters (ghosts).
@@ Line 16: / Line 15: @@
 {{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
-"Spectral" also has another meaning: relating to specters (ghosts). Hence "spectral analysis" could be interpreted as the analysis of ghosts. "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible shadow or ghost.
+"Spectral" also has another meaning: relating to specters (ghosts). Hence "exoplanet spectral analysis" could be interpreted as the analysis of ghosts on planets outside the solar system instead of the analysis of the elements that might be present on the planet. "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible shadow or ghost.
-The title text refers to the search for past life on Mars. It humorously conflates the practice of searching for signs of past life such as specific molecules or fossils (which NASA does actively search for), versus the disreputable practice of searching for ghosts, with this conflation framing both as an equally scientific indication of past life. In a very loose sense, real signs such as gases or fossils could be considered "ghosts" of past life.
+The title text refers to the search for past life on Mars. Just like the comic, it also humorously conflates the practice of searching for signs of past life such as specific molecules or fossils (which NASA does actively search for), versus the disreputable practice of searching for ghosts, with this conflation framing both as an equally scientific indication of past life. In a very loose sense, real signs such as gases or fossils could be considered "ghosts" of past life.
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 In this comic, Cueball states that observations of light that passed through the atmosphere of a distant planet indicate that there are ghosts on that planet, because some of the light was absorbed in a way that is unique to ghosts. This is analogous to how gases or suspended particles absorb certain wavelengths, allowing scientists to identify properties of distant objects using telescopes. The pun is that in this comic "spectral analysis" refers to both {{w|Spectroscopy|the analysis of the light spectrum}} and the analysis of specters (ghosts).
-{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (which includes visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
+{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
 "Spectral" also has another meaning: relating to specters (ghosts). Hence "spectral analysis" could be interpreted as the analysis of ghosts. "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible ghost.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 {{incomplete|Created by an ALIEN GHOST EXORCIST - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}}
-{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} as used in the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic frequencies) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] The word spectral as in spectral analysis refers to the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}}. If confirmed, these would be very interesting scientific facts that would definitely drive further scrutiny, although it may yet turn out to be less remarkable {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|on closer study}}.
+{{w|Spectroscopy|Spectral analysis}} is the study of the {{w|electromagnetic spectrum}} that results from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation (which includes visible light) and matter. In the study of {{w|exoplanet}}s and other distant objects in space, it refers to using the intensities of different frequencies of light (and other electromagnetic radiation) from stars which they occlude to infer data about their chemical composition. This is used to detect certain gases in the atmosphere, such as {{w|Oxygen#Allotropes|free oxygen}}, which might suggest generation by and for Earth-like life. On the day before this comic was published, {{w|NASA}} announced that spectral analysis of the exoplanet {{w|K2-18b}} showed abundance of {{w|methane}} and {{w|carbon dioxide}}, and shortage of {{w|ammonia}}, which are chemical footprints that support the hypothesis that it may have a life-supporting water ocean; and there was possible detection of {{w|dimethyl sulfide}}, which on {{w|Earth}} is only produced by life.[https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/2023/webb-discovers-methane-carbon-dioxide-in-atmosphere-of-k2-18b] If confirmed, these would be very interesting findings, although it may turn out to be less remarkable on closer study (as {{w|Life on Venus#Phosphine|with Venus}} for example).
-"Spectral" is also a term sometimes used as a descriptor/adjective: to originate from (or exhibit properties of) supposed ghosts or "specters". "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible shadow or ghost. This comic leverages this pun, to humorously suggest that close study of exoplanetary shading could present a reasonable method of hunting for such ghosts:
+"Spectral" also has another meaning: relating to specters (ghosts). "Specter" and "spectrum" have the same etymological root, deriving from Latin "spectrum" meaning "appearance", with a specter specifically referring to a visible ghost. The pun in this comic is that "spectral analysis" refers to both the analysis of the light spectrum and to the analysis of specters.
 In this comic, Cueball states that the specific reductions in detected light are theorized to indicate the presence of ghosts/specters in the planet's atmosphere, similar to how gases or suspended particles absorb certain wavelengths. Like many atmospheric gases, ghosts/specters are frequently presumed to be invisible under most conditions.{{Citation needed}} However, if these specters have their own absorption spectrum distinguishing them from ordinary gases, the presence of such specters in an exoplanet's atmosphere could be considered evidence of (past) alien life.
-The title text refers to the search for past life on Mars. It humorously conflates the practice of searching for signs of past life, such as specific molecules or fossils (which NASA does actively search for), versus the disreputable practice of searching for evidence to support the existence of ghosts, with this conflation framing both as an equally scientific indication of past life. In a very loose sense, real signs such as gases or fossils could be considered "ghosts" of past life.
+The title text refers to the search for past life on Mars. It humorously conflates the practice of searching for signs of past life such as specific molecules or fossils (which NASA does actively search for), versus the disreputable practice of searching for ghosts, with this conflation framing both as an equally scientific indication of past life. In a very loose sense, real signs such as gases or fossils could be considered "ghosts" of past life.
 ==Transcript==