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
|
|
Pentagon dismisses $1.2 trillion cost estimate for Golden Dome
Posted: Sat, May 16 9:36 AM ET (1336 GMT) Cowboy Space proposes 20,000 satellite orbital data center constellation
Posted: Sat, May 16 9:33 AM ET (1333 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, May 21
A Look Back at Hubble’s Most Breathtaking Images
Nautilus — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) Greenlight for next two ESA Scout missions
ESA — 5:33 am ET (0933 GMT) The SpaceX S-1 filing is packed with eye-popping deadlines. Here are the most important ones.
Business Insider — 5:31 am ET (0931 GMT) Germany touts pan-German space command amid European push to supplant US tech
Defense News — 5:30 am ET (0930 GMT) Acquisition reform ‘necessary’ but ‘not sufficient,’ U.S. Space Force official says
Aerospace America — 5:29 am ET (0929 GMT) |
