Astronomers determine color of exoplanet
Posted: Fri, Jul 12, 2013, 8:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
Astronomers for the first time have measured the color of an extrasolar planet, finding that it is a primarily blue world but for reasons very unlike Earth. Astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to take spectra of the exoplanet HD 189733b as it passed behind its star. Astronomers noticed a slight decrease in blue light when the planet was hidden from view, but no significant change in green or red light. Astronomers conclude that the planet is predominantly blue in color. The planet is a hot Jupiter, and that blue color likely comes from silicate particles in clouds in its upper atmosphere that preferentially scatter blue light.
Astronomers for the first time have measured the color of an extrasolar planet, finding that it is a primarily blue world but for reasons very unlike Earth. Astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to take spectra of the exoplanet HD 189733b as it passed behind its star. Astronomers noticed a slight decrease in blue light when the planet was hidden from view, but no significant change in green or red light. Astronomers conclude that the planet is predominantly blue in color. The planet is a hot Jupiter, and that blue color likely comes from silicate particles in clouds in its upper atmosphere that preferentially scatter blue light.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, October 24
Cedar Park OKs $1 million in incentives to support Firefly Aerospace expansion, 300 new jobs
Austin (TX) American-Statesman — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) Defense giants Airbus, Thales and Leonardo announce space merger to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink
CNBC — 7:45 am ET (1145 GMT) Experts: US Needs Whole-of-Government Approach to Match China in Cislunar
Air and Space Forces Magazine — 7:42 am ET (1142 GMT) European defence giants strike satellite alliance to challenge Musk’s SpaceX
The Daily Telegraph — 7:41 am ET (1141 GMT) Debrief: Competition Intensifies Between China’s SpaceX Challengers
Aviation Week — 7:41 am ET (1141 GMT) |
