Normally I write about beer that is on this planet. Very nice when you talk about availability. In February, however, something beer-related occurred 39 light-years from Earth. Astronomers from the University of Liège discovered a solar system with no fewer than seven planets that are about the same size as Earth. And they are all in a zone around their star that allows life to develop. The name of this solar system is TRAPPIST-7, a direct reference to Belgian specialty beer.
The name that the beer-loving scientists at the University of Liège gave to the galaxy is taken from the telescope with which the galaxy was discovered: the Transiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope.
That gives rise to the idea in case life is discovered on one of the planets, to call these aliens 'Trappists'. This links the name of this monastic order from 1098 to the most groundbreaking scientific discovery of the 21st century.But…, it goes even further. The scientists have announced that they want to name the seven planets in the system after individual Trappist abbeys. So we'll soon hear: 'Life has been discovered on Orval'? Dreaming about extraterrestrial life, I think of the first moment of contact, in which we have to explain where the name we gave to the aliens comes from. How nice it would be if we could serve them a nice Belgian Trappist beer. And at the same time, the carnival song 'There is no beer in heaven, that's why we drink it here'. Unfortunately, it remains to be seen whether there is demonstrable life on one of the planets. But with my romantic spirit I pour myself a beautiful Westmalle tripel. And I toast to the stars: To beer and to science.
Ivo is an international beer sommelier, entertainer and catering expert. Has an immeasurable passion for beer, catering and hospitality. Ivo will write a monthly column for Horeca Groningen.