Astronomers use Hubble to study cloudy exoplanets
Posted: Thu, Jan 2, 2014, 7:45 AM ET (1245 GMT)
Observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have allowed astronomers to determine that two relatively nearby exoplanets likely have cloudy atmospheres. In a pair of papers published in this week's issue of the journal Nature, astronomers reported on Hubble spectral observations of the exoplanets GJ 436b and GJ 1214b as they transited their stars as seen from Earth. The Hubble observations of GJ 436b, a planet similar in size to Neptune but in a closer orbit, were featureless, suggesting it has a high cloud layer blocking observations of the lower atmosphere, or an atmosphere free of hydrogen. Observations of GJ 1214b, a super-Earth, were also featureless, but scientists said they had "definitive evidence of high clouds" because they could rule out the presence of non-hydrogen constituents.
Observations by the Hubble Space Telescope have allowed astronomers to determine that two relatively nearby exoplanets likely have cloudy atmospheres. In a pair of papers published in this week's issue of the journal Nature, astronomers reported on Hubble spectral observations of the exoplanets GJ 436b and GJ 1214b as they transited their stars as seen from Earth. The Hubble observations of GJ 436b, a planet similar in size to Neptune but in a closer orbit, were featureless, suggesting it has a high cloud layer blocking observations of the lower atmosphere, or an atmosphere free of hydrogen. Observations of GJ 1214b, a super-Earth, were also featureless, but scientists said they had "definitive evidence of high clouds" because they could rule out the presence of non-hydrogen constituents.| <<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
|
|
Sunday, November 16
Thailand rejects Starlink offer due to ownership hurdle
Bangkok Post — 12:19 am ET (0519 GMT) A Second Chance for Jared Isaacman—and NASA
City Journal — 12:13 am ET (0513 GMT) Nokia sets sights on 5G upgrade for space
Tyn — 12:13 am ET (0513 GMT) Federal government’s millions for Canada’s commercial space race marks a new chapter
BNN Bloomberg — 12:11 am ET (0511 GMT) Former ISRO scientist sees business opportunity in cleaning space junk
The Economic Times (India) — 12:09 am ET (0509 GMT) |
