That's a really good point, Jim. I don't know how they make the distinction, I just accept that they must have thought of that. Maybe the dimming is more persistent over time than rotating sunspots would be. Thanks, Joe --- On Fri, 2/13/09, Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Jim Gibson <jimgibson00@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Exciting times in small exoplanet search To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Friday, February 13, 2009, 5:07 AM Joe, I really enjoyed your blog. When I looked at the link you posted (http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=1005) it occurred to me that it may be possible that what some are thinking are planets they are finding may actually be sun spots. Of course that must have occurred to the scientists too so they must have other ways to verify that they have a planet and not a sun spot. Do you know anything about that joe? They must know the rotation of the star and can map the difference in the light variance to see that it doesn’t coincide with the rotation rate. Just wondering. Jim --- On Thu, 2/12/09, Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> wrote: From: Joe Bauman <josephmbauman@yahoo.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Exciting times in small exoplanet search To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 10:57 PM For the latest in small exoplanet search, see my blog at: http://deseretnews.com/blogs/monthly/1,5553,10000034,00.html?bD=20090212&sc=... Many thanks, Joe _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com