Astronomers detect exoplanet in x-rays
Posted: Wed, Jul 31, 2013, 8:12 AM ET (1212 GMT)
Astronomers have detected an extrasolar planet for the first time using x-ray observations. Researchers used observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton spacecraft to attempt to detect an exoplanet already known to orbit the star HD 189733, 63 light-years from the Earth, as the planet transited the star's disk. Astronomers not only confirmed the planet's presence in those x-ray observations, they say three times the dimming of the star in x-rays as in visible light, suggesting that the exoplanet's atmosphere may contain extended layers that are transparent to visible light but opaque to x-rays.
Astronomers have detected an extrasolar planet for the first time using x-ray observations. Researchers used observations by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton spacecraft to attempt to detect an exoplanet already known to orbit the star HD 189733, 63 light-years from the Earth, as the planet transited the star's disk. Astronomers not only confirmed the planet's presence in those x-ray observations, they say three times the dimming of the star in x-rays as in visible light, suggesting that the exoplanet's atmosphere may contain extended layers that are transparent to visible light but opaque to x-rays.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, May 13
A new ‘Boost!’ for space transportation companies
ESA — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Elon Musk Is Out to Rule Space. Can Anyone Stop Him?
Wired — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) AST SpaceMobile ‘Optimistic’ About New Glenn Pad Return
Aviation Week — 6:08 am ET (1008 GMT) AST SpaceMobile Confirms Target for 45 BlueBirds This Year, Despite Blue Origin Launch Failure
ViaSatellite — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) ULA to prep future Vulcan launch for Amazon despite rocket investigation
Orlando Sentinel — 6:06 am ET (1006 GMT) |
