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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, August 15
Blue Origin scraps New Glenn recovery ship, finishes first ‘test tank’
Teslarati — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) Doctors in space: CU’s Boulder and School of Medicine campuses will offer a joint degree program to send MDs to infinity and beyond
Colorado Public Radio — 6:09 am ET (1009 GMT) Look forward to working together: Astronaut Raja Chari's message on India at 75
India Today — 6:05 am ET (1005 GMT) NASA might cancel mission to massive ‘gold mine asteroid’ — here’s why it shouldn’t
The Hill — 6:04 am ET (1004 GMT) Software-defined satellite enters commercial service
ESA — 6:04 am ET (1004 GMT) |
