Spacecraft detects water in extrasolar system
Posted: Sun, Jul 15, 2001, 11:36 AM ET (1536 GMT)
An orbiting spacecraft has uncovered the first direct evidence of water in an extrasolar system, astronomers said last week. Astronomers said that observations by the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) detected a cloud of water vapor around a dying star, CW Leonis. That cloud of water vapor, astronomers conclude, is likely created as the star, growing brighter in the final stages of its life, is vaporizing several hundred billion icy bodies in a disk similar to the Kuiper Belt around the Sun. The discovery is the first time water has been detected in any kind of extrasolar planetary or protoplanetary decision, and surprised astronomers who did not expect to find water around a star of this type. Astronomers also said these observations could be a preview of what will happen to our Sun in five billion years when it evolves into a red giant.
An orbiting spacecraft has uncovered the first direct evidence of water in an extrasolar system, astronomers said last week. Astronomers said that observations by the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (SWAS) detected a cloud of water vapor around a dying star, CW Leonis. That cloud of water vapor, astronomers conclude, is likely created as the star, growing brighter in the final stages of its life, is vaporizing several hundred billion icy bodies in a disk similar to the Kuiper Belt around the Sun. The discovery is the first time water has been detected in any kind of extrasolar planetary or protoplanetary decision, and surprised astronomers who did not expect to find water around a star of this type. Astronomers also said these observations could be a preview of what will happen to our Sun in five billion years when it evolves into a red giant.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
New Virgin Galactic spaceplane arrives at Spaceport America
Posted: Sat, Oct 31 10:38 AM ET (1438 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, November 2
Forum: Springs’ space future is bright without Space Command
Colorado Springs Gazette — 5:37 am ET (1037 GMT) S. Korea's Air Force to participate in U.S.-led space war game for 1st time
Yonhap News — 5:35 am ET (1035 GMT) The growing threats that make the Space Force essential
Washington Examiner — 5:33 am ET (1033 GMT) Lawfare against Elon Musk could affect the Artemis program
The Hill — 5:26 am ET (1026 GMT) Southland's global space company won't write down military policy
The Southland App (NZ) — 5:25 am ET (1025 GMT) |
