NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has discovered carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star.
This breakthrough is an important step toward finding chemical biotracers of extraterrestrial life. The Jupiter-sized planet, called HD 189733b, is too hot for life.
Previous observations of HD 189733b by Hubble and the Spitzer Space Telescope found water vapour. Earlier last year, Hubble found methane in the planet’s atmosphere.
These atmospheric studies will begin to determine the compositions and chemical processes operating on distant worlds orbiting other stars.
The future for this newly opened frontier of science is extremely promising as it is expected that many more molecules will be discovered in exoplanet atmospheres.
Hubble’s near infrared camera and spectrometer were used to study infrared light emitted from the planet, which lies 63 light-years away. Gases in the planet’s atmosphere absorb certain wavelengths of light from the planet’s hot glowing interior. Carbon dioxide and carbon were detected.
First time ever
This breakthrough is an important step toward finding chemical biotracers of extraterrestrial life. The Jupiter-sized planet, called HD 189733b, is too hot for life.
Previous observations of HD 189733b by Hubble and the Spitzer Space Telescope found water vapour. Earlier last year, Hubble found methane in the planet’s atmosphere.
These atmospheric studies will begin to determine the compositions and chemical processes operating on distant worlds orbiting other stars.
The future for this newly opened frontier of science is extremely promising as it is expected that many more molecules will be discovered in exoplanet atmospheres.
Hubble’s near infrared camera and spectrometer were used to study infrared light emitted from the planet, which lies 63 light-years away. Gases in the planet’s atmosphere absorb certain wavelengths of light from the planet’s hot glowing interior. Carbon dioxide and carbon were detected.
First time ever
The molecules leave a unique spectral fingerprint on the radiation from the planet that reaches Earth. This is the first time a near-infrared emission spectrum has been obtained for an exoplanet.
The presence of carbon in elemental or as part of a compound along with that of liquid water is an essential prerequisite for the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
The carbon dioxide is the main reason for the excitement because, under the right circumstances, it could have a connection to biological activity as it does on Earth.
The significance
The presence of carbon in elemental or as part of a compound along with that of liquid water is an essential prerequisite for the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
The carbon dioxide is the main reason for the excitement because, under the right circumstances, it could have a connection to biological activity as it does on Earth.
The significance
The very fact that its detection was possible and its abundance estimated is significant for the long-term effort of characterizing planets to find out what they are made of and if they could be a possible host for life.
This type of observation is best done on planets with orbits tilted edge-on to Earth.
When queried by this correspondent on why the orbit should be tilted edge-on to Earth, Mr. J.D. Harrington, Public Affairs Officer, NASA, noted in an email, “The plane of the planet’s orbit is being viewed nearly edge on.
If the orbit is not sufficiently edge-on, then eclipses will never occur.
The eclipses allow an opportunity to subtract the light of the star alone, when the planet is blocked, from that of the star and planet together prior to eclipse.
That isolates the emission of the planet and makes possible a chemical analysis of its atmosphere.”
Proof-of-concept
This type of observation is best done on planets with orbits tilted edge-on to Earth.
When queried by this correspondent on why the orbit should be tilted edge-on to Earth, Mr. J.D. Harrington, Public Affairs Officer, NASA, noted in an email, “The plane of the planet’s orbit is being viewed nearly edge on.
If the orbit is not sufficiently edge-on, then eclipses will never occur.
The eclipses allow an opportunity to subtract the light of the star alone, when the planet is blocked, from that of the star and planet together prior to eclipse.
That isolates the emission of the planet and makes possible a chemical analysis of its atmosphere.”
Proof-of-concept
The Hubble observations are a proof-of-concept demonstration that the basic chemistry for life can be measured on planets orbiting other stars.
Organic compounds also can be a by-product of life processes and their detection on an Earth-like planet someday may provide the first evidence of life beyond our planet.
Organic compounds also can be a by-product of life processes and their detection on an Earth-like planet someday may provide the first evidence of life beyond our planet.
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