Astronomers find watery exoplanet
Posted: Wed, Feb 22, 2012, 7:44 AM ET (1244 GMT)
Astronomers aalyzing Hubble observations have concluded one known extrasolar planet has a thick atmosphere of water vapor and likely far more water than the Earth. Astronomers discovered the planet, GJ1214b, in 2009, and observations a year later suggested that it has either at atmosphere of water vapor or a haze layer. Follow-up infrared observations by Hubble as the planet transited its star confirmed the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere, based on the lack of features observed over a range of infrared wavelengths. The planet is a so-called "super Earth" with a diameter 2.7 times that of the Earth and seven times as massive. The resulting density suggests the planet has a larger fraction of water than the Earth.
Astronomers aalyzing Hubble observations have concluded one known extrasolar planet has a thick atmosphere of water vapor and likely far more water than the Earth. Astronomers discovered the planet, GJ1214b, in 2009, and observations a year later suggested that it has either at atmosphere of water vapor or a haze layer. Follow-up infrared observations by Hubble as the planet transited its star confirmed the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere, based on the lack of features observed over a range of infrared wavelengths. The planet is a so-called "super Earth" with a diameter 2.7 times that of the Earth and seven times as massive. The resulting density suggests the planet has a larger fraction of water than the Earth.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
FAA restricts hours for commercial launches during shutdown
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 9:05 AM ET (1405 GMT) China postpones Shenzhou-20 return on orbital debris concerns
Posted: Sun, Nov 9 8:58 AM ET (1358 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, November 15
Emirates to put Starlink on aircraft in major win for SpaceX
Bloomberg News — 5:11 am ET (1011 GMT) DOJ Issued Seizure Warrant to Starlink Over Satellite Internet Systems Used at Scam Compound
Wired News — 5:09 am ET (1009 GMT) New Glenn Rocket Aces Launch and Landing, Setting Up Space Force for More Options
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 5:06 am ET (1006 GMT) Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket landed its booster on a barge at sea – an achievement that will broaden the commercial spaceflight market
The Conversation — 5:05 am ET (1005 GMT) Second Viasat Broadband Satellite Enters Space
Aviation Week — 5:04 am ET (1004 GMT) |
