The Art Worlds

May 13, 2017 11:56 AM

Since the announcement in February of this year that the nearby star TRAPPIST-1 has seven earth-size planets orbiting it, popular understanding of its complex orbital mechanics has been enhanced by insights from Jazz Music and a Graphic Novel.
posted by Rumple (10 comments total)

I hope the civilizations of this system are eponysterical, and that we find a peaceful civilization that has channeled all their aggression and competitive urges into the quest into brewing and pouring the finest fermented beverages possible.

I'm imagining something like the Ordo Mechanicus of Warhammer 40K, but without guns other than beer-guns for tapping kegs. BrauMeister 40K. In the cheery inebriation of the dim future there is only hops.
posted by LeRoienJaune at 12:11 PM on May 13, 2017 [7 favorites]

I hope the civilizations of this system are eponysterical but not in the form of a familiar Star Wars meme.
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:27 PM on May 13, 2017

I was amazed that the orbits of the planets in this system were in resonance, in ratios of Fibonacci numbers!
posted by Schmucko at 1:16 PM on May 13, 2017 [3 favorites]

Yes, the "Jazz" link is maybe the most interesting.
posted by Rumple at 1:29 PM on May 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

This is all wonderful.

I love this heading from the Graphic Novel About section: "Why focus on ultra-cool stars?"

This is ultra-cool.

Thank you!
posted by kristi at 1:54 PM on May 13, 2017 [1 favorite]

I hope the civilizations of this system are eponysterical

There's also a project called SPECULOOS. Both TRAPPIST and SPECULOOS are out of the University of Liege, in Belgium. I'm hoping they name their next telescope WAFFLES.
posted by madcaptenor at 3:26 PM on May 13, 2017 [4 favorites]

Wow, I love the jazz link!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 6:15 PM on May 13, 2017

In Belgium, they're called Luik Waffles.

I presume in Luik they name them after some localdistrict or street.

Below the Planck length nobody's quite sure what to call a Belgian waffle.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:20 AM on May 14, 2017 [2 favorites]

It's pronounced T-RAPPIST, and they drop the sickest beats.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:45 AM on May 14, 2017 [1 favorite]

That video (at the "jazz" link) is really well done. It doesn't just present the system's information, it has a pace and meaning and style that is a wonderful complement to the information.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:01 AM on May 15, 2017