Scientists detect water in atmospheres of several exoplanets
Posted: Fri, Dec 6, 2013, 7:16 AM ET (1216 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week they had detected evidence of water in the atmospheres of several "hot Jupiter" exoplanets. Two groups of astronomers used observations of the planets using the Hubble Space Telescope as they transited the stars, measuring what wavelengths of light from the star were absorbed by the planet's atmosphere as the exoplanet passed between the star and Earth. Astronomers said they detected relatively strong signals of water in the atmospheres of exoplanets WASP-17b and HD209458b, and other data consistent with the presence of water for exoplanets WASP-12b, WASP-19b, and XO-1b. All five exoplanets are gas giants that orbit very close to their stars.
Astronomers announced this week they had detected evidence of water in the atmospheres of several "hot Jupiter" exoplanets. Two groups of astronomers used observations of the planets using the Hubble Space Telescope as they transited the stars, measuring what wavelengths of light from the star were absorbed by the planet's atmosphere as the exoplanet passed between the star and Earth. Astronomers said they detected relatively strong signals of water in the atmospheres of exoplanets WASP-17b and HD209458b, and other data consistent with the presence of water for exoplanets WASP-12b, WASP-19b, and XO-1b. All five exoplanets are gas giants that orbit very close to their stars.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, April 28
The Guardian view on owning the heavens: the perils of letting capitalism colonise the cosmos
The Guardian — 5:55 am ET (0955 GMT) Europe must boost space investment to secure autonomy from US, says ESA boss
The Guardian — 5:54 am ET (0954 GMT) SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket into the night on Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral
Florida Today — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Atlas V-SpaceX launch doubleheader tonight: Everything to know about Cape Canaveral missions
Florida Today — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Sunday, April 27
New study reveals how solar coronal holes spray solar wind like a Sun garden hose
Skoltech — 6:46 pm ET (2246 GMT) |
