5 ms·

We know basically nothing about the details of cloud structure on exoplanets.

SilasX 10y ago
Then it's kind of a stretch to call Jupiter "truly unique" in this respect, isn't it? "Wow, only a quarter of known gas giants are like this!"
- acupofnope 10y ago
  Yes. What's the point you're trying to make? (genuine question)
  - SilasX 10y ago
    To express skepticism about >The largest planet in our solar system is truly unique.
    - visakanv 10y ago
      Since we're in the business of nitpicking – unique means one of a kind, so the "truly" is redundant. That said, there are so many planets in the Universe that it's practically impossible for any single one to be unique – the term is being used here not in a technically accurate way, but in a loose, "I want you to be impressed" sense.
      - elbear 10y ago
        Well, if you think about it, there aren't two planets which are 100% alike, so each planet can be called unique.
        visakanv 10y ago
        That's true, but in which case the term ceases to be useful!
    - sammydavis 10y ago
      It's unique within our solar system, the only one we have details about. I think it's fair to state that as being unique. The implication (that we don't know about other solar systems) doesn't need to be stated, at least to me.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- stcredzero 10y ago
  How about, "Truly unique in our experience?"
- GCA10 10y ago
  It's an interesting story with an awkward headline and opening quote. The word "unique" is being pressed into duty as a terse synonym for "interesting in all sorts of ways that will require you to read entire paragraphs of information to understand." I'm inclined to forgive NASA on this one. The accuracy/brevity trade-off tortures anyone who tries to popularize science.
- jlarocco 10y ago
  It's a common use of the word "unique". The usage has deviated from the original meaning. Making a big deal out of it doesn't make you look smart; it makes you look out of touch.
  - Bjartr 10y ago
    I am unfamiliar with unique meaning anything but "one of a kind", mind educating me?
    - drivers99 10y ago
      Another definition of unique is "particularly remarkable, special, or unusual" [1]. Makes sense with how the original quote also said "We have 36 more flybys to study just how unique it really is." www.merriam-webster.com has one definition which says it's a synonym of "unusual" [2]. [1] https://www.google.com/#q=unique https://www.google.com/#q=unique (in the top info box) [2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unique http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unique (#3 in the full definition, all-caps meaning that it's a synonym for the word in caps)

Then it's kind of a stretch to call Jupiter "truly unique" in this respect, isn't it? "Wow, only a quarter of known gas giants are like this!"

acupofnope 10y ago
Yes. What's the point you're trying to make? (genuine question)
- SilasX 10y ago
  To express skepticism about >The largest planet in our solar system is truly unique.
  - visakanv 10y ago
    Since we're in the business of nitpicking – unique means one of a kind, so the "truly" is redundant. That said, there are so many planets in the Universe that it's practically impossible for any single one to be unique – the term is being used here not in a technically accurate way, but in a loose, "I want you to be impressed" sense.
    - elbear 10y ago
      Well, if you think about it, there aren't two planets which are 100% alike, so each planet can be called unique.
      - visakanv 10y ago
        That's true, but in which case the term ceases to be useful!
  - sammydavis 10y ago
    It's unique within our solar system, the only one we have details about. I think it's fair to state that as being unique. The implication (that we don't know about other solar systems) doesn't need to be stated, at least to me.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
stcredzero 10y ago
How about, "Truly unique in our experience?"
GCA10 10y ago
It's an interesting story with an awkward headline and opening quote. The word "unique" is being pressed into duty as a terse synonym for "interesting in all sorts of ways that will require you to read entire paragraphs of information to understand." I'm inclined to forgive NASA on this one. The accuracy/brevity trade-off tortures anyone who tries to popularize science.
jlarocco 10y ago
It's a common use of the word "unique". The usage has deviated from the original meaning. Making a big deal out of it doesn't make you look smart; it makes you look out of touch.
- Bjartr 10y ago
  I am unfamiliar with unique meaning anything but "one of a kind", mind educating me?
  - drivers99 10y ago
    Another definition of unique is "particularly remarkable, special, or unusual" [1]. Makes sense with how the original quote also said "We have 36 more flybys to study just how unique it really is." www.merriam-webster.com has one definition which says it's a synonym of "unusual" [2]. [1] https://www.google.com/#q=unique https://www.google.com/#q=unique (in the top info box) [2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unique http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unique (#3 in the full definition, all-caps meaning that it's a synonym for the word in caps)