Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops
Slashdot It! Slashdot Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops
Submit to Reddit Submit Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops to Reddit
Reading: Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets developsTwitter This Reading: Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets developsTwitter Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops
Add to Facebook Add Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops to Facebook

Plan to identify watery Earth-like planets develops

April 24, 2008

Astronomers are looking to identify Earth-like watery worlds circling distant stars from a glint of light seen through an optical space telescope and a mathematical method developed by researchers at Penn State and the University of Hawaii.

"We are looking for Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of their star, a band not too hot nor too cold for life to exist," says Darren M. Williams, associate professor of physics and astronomy, Penn State Erie, the Behrend College. "We also want to know if there is water on these planets."




For life to exist, planets must have habitable temperatures throughout a period long enough for life to evolve. For life as we know it, the planet must have a significant amount of water. Scientists already know how to determine the distance a planet orbits from its star, and analysis of light interacting with molecules in the atmosphere can indicate if water exists. However, Williams and Eric Gaidos, associate professor of geobiology, University of Hawaii, want to identify planets with water on their surfaces.

The researchers' method, reported in an upcoming issue of Icarus and currently available online, relies on the reflective properties of water.

"A planet like Venus, with a dense atmosphere, will scatter the sunlight in all directions," Williams says. "If you look at Venus in phases, when it is full, it is brightest and when it is crescent, it is faintest."

When a planet is full in respect to its sun with the whole disk illuminated, water would actually be darker than dirt. However, when a planet is in crescent, with the sun glancing off the watery surface, the reflection will be brightest.

The image of the Blue Marble, taken by Apollo 17 in December 1972, is striking because the Earth is 70 percent covered in water. The researchers believe that large enough amounts of water will provide a glint of light visible in the infrared and visible spectrum if they watch the planet for long enough.

"We are going to look at the planets for a long time," says Williams. "They reflect one billionth or one ten billionth of their sun. To gain enough light to see a dot requires observation over two weeks with the kinds of telescopes we are imagining. If we stare that long, unless the planet is rotating very slowly, different sides of the planet will come through our field of view. If the planet is a mix of water, we are going to see the mix travel around the planet."

The researchers want to monitor the light curve of a distant planet as the planet spins on its axis and moves around its star. By looking at the changes in brightness, correlated to the planet's phase, they should be able to tell if the planet has liquid oceans. If the temperatures are correct, the liquid is probably water.

While there are currently no telescopes capable of identifying watery planets, astronomers hope that a terrestrial planet finder telescope will orbit the earth in the next 10 to 20 years. In the meantime, the Penn State researcher has arranged for the current Mars Express and Venus Express missions of the European Space Agency, to look back at the Earth occasionally from a great distance and observe what our watery planet looks like in various phases.

"Any time that the Earth is in a crescent phase as viewed by a distant space vehicle, we should take advantage of the situation and look back at the Earth," says Williams.

Penn State





Science News and Science Current Events Tag Cloud
This tag cloud is a visual representation of term frequencies of random science news topics with common terms grouped together and emphasized by their display size.
Gastric Cancer   Behavior   Wrinkles   Biodiesel   Leptin   Academic Performance   Sleep Problems   Plastic Surgery   Pycnogenol   Emphysema   Biofilms   Wind Power   Vision Loss   Birth Defects   Whooping cough   Angiography   Quantum Physics   Ultraviolet Radiation   Tamoxifen   Enzyme Inhibitor   Blood Vessel   Marine Species   Abdominal Pain   Smoking cessation   Heart Rhythm  
Related Planet Current Events and Planet News Articles Planet Current Events and Planet News RSS Planet Current Events and Planet News RSS
Earth's most prominent rainfall feature creeping northward
The rain band near the equator that determines the supply of freshwater to nearly a billion people throughout the tropics and subtropics has been creeping north for more than 300 years.

University of Hawaii at Manoa astronomers discover pair of solar systems in the making
Two University of Hawai'i at Mānoa astronomers have found a binary star-disk system in which each star is surrounded by the kind of dust disk that is frequently the precursor of a planetary system.

Hand-held aerosol sensors help fill crucial data gap over oceans
Since NASA researchers began assembling the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) in the 1990s, the worldwide network of ground-based aerosol sensors has grown to 400 sites across seven continents.

Sulfate lens enhances climate warming properties of atmospheric soot
Particulate pollution thought to be holding climate change in check by reflecting sunlight instead enhances warming when combined with airborne soot, a new study has found.

Scripps research scientists observe human neurodegenerative disorder in fruit flies
A team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute, Katholeike Universiteit Leuven, and the University of Antwerp, Belgium, among other institutions, has created a genetically modified fruit fly that mimics key features of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a common neurodegenerative disorder that strikes about one out of every 2,500 people in the United States.

Carb synthesis sheds light on promising tuberculosis drug target
A fundamental question about how sugar units are strung together into long carbohydrate chains has also pinpointed a promising way to target new medicines against tuberculosis.

ASU instrument takes better look at Mars minerals
A slow drift in the orbit of NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft that mission controllers started nine months ago is now giving an ASU instrument on the spacecraft a better and more sensitive view of minerals on the surface of Mars.

IBEX spacecraft detects fast neutral hydrogen coming from the moon
NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) spacecraft has made the first observations of very fast hydrogen atoms coming from the moon, following decades of speculation and searching for their existence.

Ancient drought and rapid cooling drastically altered climate
Two abrupt and drastic climate events, 700 years apart and more than 45 centuries ago, are teasing scientists who are now trying to use ancient records to predict future world climate.

University of Colorado team finds definitive evidence for ancient lake on Mars
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered the first definitive evidence of shorelines on Mars, an indication of a deep, ancient lake there and a finding with implications for the discovery of past life on the Red Planet.
More Planet Current Events and Planet News Articles
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
Starring: David Attenborough

With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never...

Planet Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergent, Case Pack, Four 100 Fluid-Ounce Bottles (400 Fluid-Ounces)

Planet Ultra Liquid Laundry Detergent, Case Pack, Four 100 Fluid-Ounce Bottles (400 Fluid-Ounces)
by Planet

A powerful detergent that is tough on stains, but gentle on skin. Contains no perfumes, dyes, enzymes or optical brighteners -- additives that typically remain on your clothes even after rinsing and can cause skin irritation. Perfectly suited for people with sensitive skin and for washing your baby's clothes

The Planets in Our Solar System (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)

The Planets in Our Solar System (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)
by Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Kevin O'malley (Illustrator)

You live on Earth, so you already know a lot about it. But do you know about its place in out solar system? For instance, it's not the largest planet. If Jupiter were a hallow ball, 1,000 Earths would fit inside it. And did you know our planet Earth takes 365 days to go around the sun, while the planet Pluto takes 248 years?

This simple text by Franklyn M. Branely introduces the nine planets in our solar system and is complemented by Kevin O'Malley's full-color illustrations, which incorporate some of the newest space photographs available. How hot is it on Venus? Which planet takes longest to orbit the sun? Find out the answers in this updated version of this popular text. Kevin OMalleys often humorous illustrations depict a group of children and an astronomer as they learn all about...

3-D PLANETS by University Games

3-D PLANETS by University Games
by University Games

3D Planets in a Tube

My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets

My Fantastic Field Trip to the Planets

Blast off with Jake on a live-action, musical, outer space adventure featuring ten original songs! Traveling inside his toy rocket, Jake's survival depends on the help of nine friendly planets, who magically talk and sing. Will Jake make it through the dangerous asteroid belt? Can he get back home before his mother discovers that he is gone? Songs combine fun lyrics about the planets with memorable melodies for one big whopping, planet-hopping experience that's out of this world!

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series [Blu-ray]
Starring: David Attenborough

With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never...

Learning Resources Inflatable Solar System Set

Learning Resources Inflatable Solar System Set
by Learning Resources

Create an out-of-this-world playroom or bedroom with this unique solar system set. Each colorful planet inflates easily, turning any room into an intergalactic experience. Set includes 36" Sun, nine proportionally sized planets with hanging hooks, moon, convenient foot pump, Activity Guide with fun planet facts and repair kit.

Uptop Cali (Feat. Planet Asia and F.l.O.) [Explicit]

Uptop Cali (Feat. Planet Asia and F.l.O.) [Explicit]
by My M.O. Productions



Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent, Case Pack, Ten 64-Ounce Boxes (640-Ounces)

Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent, Case Pack, Ten 64-Ounce Boxes (640-Ounces)
by Planet

A highly concentrated detergent that really goes to work on tough stains. Like our liquid laundry detergent, our powdered laundry detergent contains no perfumes, dyes, enzymes or optical brighteners. This low-sudsing formula is ideal for use in front loading washers.

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System

11 Planets: A New View of the Solar System
by David A. Aguilar (Author)

National Geographic proudly presents the essential reference book for what is now officially a NEW AGE in space.

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union redefined the word "planet" and relegated Pluto to the status of a dwarf planet, along with Ceres and Eris. Naturally, National Geographic is there to map out this new view of our solar system. In 11 Planets, David Aguilar, an expert who works on the leading edge of this astounding shift, explains and explores our new galactic knowledge.

Using spectacular computer artwork, exclusive to National Geographic, and simple engaging text, this colorful book profiles all 11 planets in our newly categorized solar system: terrestrial Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars; gas giants Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune; and...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com