Astronomers observe smallest exoplanet to date via direct imaging
Posted: Wed, Jun 5, 2013, 8:56 AM ET (1256 GMT)
European astronomers announced this week the discovery of the smallest extrasolar planet to date that has been directly observed by telescopes. The planet, HD 95086 b, has an estimated mass of four to five times that of Jupiter and orbits its star at about twice the distance Neptune orbits the Sun. Astronomers spotted the planet in images taken by one of the 8.2-meter telescopes of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, observing at infrared wavelengths and using adaptive optics to correct for distortions caused by Earth's atmosphere. Most exoplanets discovered to date have not been seen directly, but instead indirectly detected as they transit across their stars' disks, causing minute decreases in the stars' brightness, or through periodic Doppler shift variations in stellar spectra as the planets' orbits cause gravitational wobbles in the star.
European astronomers announced this week the discovery of the smallest extrasolar planet to date that has been directly observed by telescopes. The planet, HD 95086 b, has an estimated mass of four to five times that of Jupiter and orbits its star at about twice the distance Neptune orbits the Sun. Astronomers spotted the planet in images taken by one of the 8.2-meter telescopes of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, observing at infrared wavelengths and using adaptive optics to correct for distortions caused by Earth's atmosphere. Most exoplanets discovered to date have not been seen directly, but instead indirectly detected as they transit across their stars' disks, causing minute decreases in the stars' brightness, or through periodic Doppler shift variations in stellar spectra as the planets' orbits cause gravitational wobbles in the star.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 15
Starlink Doubled Its Speed In 2 Years. It Still Doesn’t Meet the FCC’s Definition of Broadband
CNET News.com — 6:15 am ET (1015 GMT) Cable fears starlink may force them out of market
The Tribune (Bahamas) — 6:14 am ET (1014 GMT) Defence announces purpose-built space workforce for Australian Defence Force
Defence Connect (Australia) — 6:13 am ET (1013 GMT) Britain’s next war could begin in space, warns top military commander
The Daily Telegraph — 6:12 am ET (1012 GMT) Modernized GPS operating system nears full operational integration
GPS World — 6:11 am ET (1011 GMT) |
