Articles tagged with Exoplanets
The LEECH exoplanets survey has obtained new images of HR 8799, a 30-million-year-old star with four known giant planets. The team found that the system likely consists of multiple double resonances, indicating gravitational interactions between the planets.
A team of international scientists has created a colorful catalog of reflection signatures from various Earth life forms to aid in the search for extraterrestrial life. The database features 137 diverse life forms, including extremophiles from extreme environments, which can help astronomers spot potential biosignatures on exoplanets.
Astronomers have discovered a star that is 11.2 billion years old and has at least five Earth-size planets, revealing that planetary formation occurred throughout the universe's history. The system, Kepler-444, consists of five planets with sizes between Mercury and Venus, orbiting a smaller star than our sun.
Astronomers have discovered a star with three planets only slightly larger than Earth, one of which orbits in the habitable zone where surface temperatures could be moderate enough for liquid water and life to exist. The study found that these planets are about 2.1, 1.7, and 1.5 times the size of Earth.
A study suggests that exoplanets are more likely to have liquid water and be habitable due to their rotation speed, which can create a day-night cycle. This finding challenges the traditional assumption that all exoplanets exhibit synchronous rotation, potentially increasing their ability to develop life.
The Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) has produced high-quality exoplanet images and spectra from its first year of science operations. The instrument's advanced imaging capabilities have revealed significant differences in the colors of two planets in the HR 8799 system, suggesting unique atmospheric compositions.
Astronomers have found evidence that the recipe for Earth applies to terrestrial exoplanets orbiting distant stars. The HARPS-North instrument measured the masses of small, Earth-sized worlds and found a tight relationship between mass and size, suggesting rocky compositions similar to those of Venus and Earth.
Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University developed a new method to estimate the magnetic field of an exoplanet. They successfully estimated the magnetic moment of the hot Jupiter HD 209458b, which is relatively small compared to Earth's magnetic field.
The European satellite Gaia is expected to detect tens of thousands of new planets within its five-year mission, revealing unique details about each planet's properties. The satellite's instruments will also capture the motion, physical characteristics, and distance of roughly 1 billion objects in the Milky Way galaxy.
Astronomers develop a new laser-based technology called the green astro-comb to detect tiny Doppler shifts, helping identify habitable zone planets. The device will enable precise measurements of exoplanet gravity, allowing for better detection of rocky worlds like Earth.
A team of scientists used the Hubble Space Telescope to create a detailed weather map of WASP-43b, tracing the planet's temperature and water vapor content. The study found that the exoplanet has winds that can reach up to 1500 degrees Celsius, with temperatures on the day side hot enough to melt iron.
A new study has shown that the water found on Earth originated before the Sun formed, suggesting that many exoplanets may also have access to abundant water. This discovery has important implications for the potential for life elsewhere in the galaxy.
Researchers have detected water vapor and hydrogen on the exoplanet HAT P-11b, a planet about four times bigger than Earth. This discovery supports astronomers' ideas about planetary formation and suggests that small planets may be rich in heavy elements like oxygen.
Physicists from UT Arlington believe following a trail of radio wave emissions may lead them to the discovery of an exomoon. They suggest using detailed calculations about the Jupiter/Io dynamic to look for radio emissions that could indicate moons orbiting an exoplanet.
A team of astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope measured water vapour in the atmospheres of three gas giants, finding levels one-tenth to one-thousandth that predicted by standard theory. This discovery raises questions about exoplanet formation and highlights challenges in searching for water on Earth-like planets.
Research by Penn State scientists has debunked the existence of two controversial planets around dwarf star Gliese 581, which were believed to be prime targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. The study confirms that signals from the stars' magnetic activity, not the planets themselves, caused the initial findings.
Researchers found that planets between 1.7 and 3.9 times the size of Earth are dubbed 'gas dwarfs' with thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium. The study also revealed that metallicity plays a crucial role in determining planetary composition, with stars hosting gas giants containing about 50% more metals than our Sun.
A team using the Gemini Planet Imager's next-generation adaptive optics system tracked the orbit of Beta Pictoris b, a planet with an estimated mass at least four times that of Jupiter. The team refined the estimate by analyzing images and debris discs around the star.
Researchers have discovered a gas giant exoplanet, GU Psc b, located 2,000 times closer to its star than Earth is to the Sun. The planet's massive size and distance from its star make it an ideal object for studying giant exoplanets.
Astronomers from Leiden University and SRON have measured the spin of Beta Pictoris b, an exoplanet orbiting a naked-eye star 63 light-years from Earth. The planet's day length is just 8 hours, despite being over 16 times larger and 3000 times more massive than Earth.
A new study suggests that detecting life on exoplanets is more difficult than previously thought, as a lifeless planet can mimic the same results as one with a biosignature. The resolution needed to distinguish between genuine and false positives is impossible with current telescopes.
Scientists at NRL detected water vapor in the atmosphere of tau Boo b, a hot Jupiter outside our solar system. The team measured the motion of the planet to establish its presence and determined it's six times more massive than Jupiter.
Researchers have found a mysterious 'shepherd' exoplanet in the Beta Pictoris system, which suggests that the system may be capable of supporting life. The planet is believed to be about the size of Saturn and is thought to be responsible for corraling a swarm of icy comets.
Astronomers have developed a new method to gauge exoplanet pressure by detecting dimer molecules. This technique may also help identify biosignatures of life in extraterrestrial atmospheres. The discovery could be made possible with future powerful telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope.
Scientists have made the first detection of water in the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter, tau Boötis b, using a novel technique that expands on the radial velocity method. The study confirms the presence of water vapor and also reveals the planet's mass, which was previously difficult to determine.
A team of scientists at Penn State University has detected water vapor in the atmosphere of a hot-Jupiter exoplanet, tau Boötis b. This discovery could help researchers understand how many planets like Earth exist throughout the universe and provides new insights into the formation and evolution of exotic hot-Jupiter planets.
The PLATO mission aims to discover and characterize Earth-like planets in the Sun's neighborhood. With an array of telescopes, it will measure planetary sizes, masses, and ages to determine their habitability. By observing one million stars, PLATO is expected to find thousands of new exoplanets.
Despite recent advances, reliable information about exoplanet atmospheres is scarce due to flawed methods like photometric interpretations. New techniques like spectrometry hold promise for a more comprehensive understanding of exoplanets.
Astrobiology Journal suggests Alpha Centauri B's unique tidal heating could create environments favorable to life. This finding presents a promising target for extrasolar exploration and expands our search for extraterrestrial life.
Researchers found a new giant planet in the Pisces constellation using radial velocity technique, contradicting initial assumption that only single-star systems host planets. The discovery has significant implications for understanding how extrasolar planets are formed and could lead to further discoveries in multiple-star systems.
New measurements of mass reveal that planets smaller than Neptune have low density due to extensive gas coverage, while larger ones have higher density. This suggests these planets formed quickly after their star's birth, contrasting with Earth's late formation.
The Gemini Planet Imager has captured its first light images, revolutionizing the field of exoplanet detection and study. The instrument's advanced adaptive optics system allows for direct imaging of faint planets, including those 1 million to 10 million times fainter than their host stars.
The Gemini Planet Imager has successfully captured its first light images of exoplanets, allowing scientists to study their atmospheres and characteristics in unprecedented detail. The instrument's advanced technology enables it to detect planets that are millions of times fainter than their parent stars.
Astronomers have detected clear evidence of clouds in the atmosphere of GJ 1214b, a super-Earth exoplanet, using data from the Hubble Space Telescope. The findings suggest that high-altitude clouds blanket the planet, hiding information about its composition and behavior.
Two teams of scientists used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to detect faint water signals in the atmospheres of five distant planets. The strengths of their water signatures varied, with some planets having stronger signals than expected.
Based on Kepler data, scientists found that one in five sun-like stars has an Earth-size planet in its habitable zone. The estimated number suggests that life-supporting planets may be more common than previously thought.
Researchers at MIT have discovered an exoplanet named Kepler 78b that is approximately 1.2 times the size of Earth and has a mass about 1.7 times that of our planet. The planet's density is also similar to Earth's, suggesting it may be composed mainly of rock and iron.
A new study led by UA graduate student Johanna Teske reexamines the composition of a potentially diamond-rich exoplanet, finding it may contain less carbon than previously thought. The analysis, based on revised star observations, suggests that the 'diamond planet' could be more rocky than initially proposed.
Astronomers have confirmed that nearby double star Fomalhaut is actually a triple star system. The discovery was made using precise movements and spectroscopic measurements of astrometric data, revealing a third smaller star in the vicinity. The stars are separated by 5.5 degrees, but their gravitational pull keeps them bound together.
Astronomers have developed a new technique to measure the surface gravity of distant stars, which is crucial for calculating their physical properties and evolutionary state. The technique has been shown to be more accurate than existing methods and can significantly improve estimates of exoplanet sizes.
The TESS mission will map the locations of over 500 transiting exoplanets, including small planets around bright stars. This is the first time NASA has studied a large number of small planets with advanced instruments.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to measure the internal properties of stars, enabling more accurate assessments of their orbiting planets. By using asteroseismology, they were able to determine the mass and rotation rate of a pulsating star, confirming the existence of an exoplanet in its orbit.
Researchers at the University of Montana are building Project Minerva, a dedicated observatory to detect Earth-like exoplanets. The project aims to identify planets in the habitable zone with suitable conditions for liquid water and life.
Astronomers have analyzed eight 'hot Jupiter' exoplanets using the Hubble Space Telescope, revealing a diverse range of puzzling properties. The team found that winds and clouds play a crucial role in shaping the atmospheric composition of these exotic planets.
Astronomer Diana Dragomir reveals the hidden identity of super-Earth HD 97658b, measuring its size and mass for the first time. The exoplanet's density suggests a thick atmosphere, but it orbits too close to its star to support liquid water oceans.
Researchers have found evidence of an exoplanet forming at a distance of about 80 astronomical units (AU) from its star, TW Hydrae. The discovery is surprising as planets typically form closer to the central star.
A team led by University of Louisville doctoral student Karen Collins discovered KELT-6b, a hot Saturn-like planet with an orbit that transits its star every 7.8 days, in the constellation Coma Berenices near Leo.
The study of HR 8799c's atmosphere suggests a core accretion process led to its formation, similar to our Solar System's formation. The exoplanet's composition reveals an elevated carbon-to-oxygen ratio, indicating water ice grains condensed and formed the planet's solid core.
A team of scientists has observed the most detailed spectrum yet of an extrasolar planet, revealing a cloudy atmosphere containing water vapor and carbon monoxide. The findings provide clues to the planet's formation and offer insights into how planets form in other solar systems.
A team of astronomers has made the most detailed examination yet of a Jupiter-like planet beyond our Solar System, discovering a cloudy atmosphere containing carbon monoxide and water vapour. The findings suggest that the system is like a scaled-up Solar System, with gas giants forming at great distances from their parent star
Researchers collected the first chemical fingerprints of a distant solar system's four red exoplanets, revealing unique spectra and peculiar characteristics. The findings suggest that the planets are too toxic and hot to sustain life as we know it.
A team of UChicago astronomers, led by Jacob Bean, is utilizing new methods to analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets, with a focus on distinguishing between gas giants and water worlds. The search for exoplanets has revealed an estimated 17 billion Earth-sized planets in the Milky Way galaxy, potentially harboring life-sustaining worlds.
Astronomers have directly imaged a massive exoplanet, Kappa And b, orbiting the 2.5-solar-mass star Kappa Andromedae. The 'super-Jupiter' has a mass at least 13 times that of Jupiter and is bound to the star.
Astronomers have discovered a super-Jupiter orbiting the star Kappa Andromedae, with a mass about 12.8 times greater than Jupiter's. The object's ambiguity between being a planet or brown dwarf allows researchers to explore theoretical limits of planetary formation.
The Las Cumbres Observatory's Network of Robotic Echelle Spectrograph (NRES) prototype has achieved its first light, primarily designed to support the study of exoplanets. The NRES will extend the capabilities of the LCOGT 1-meter network with six high-resolution spectrographs.
Researchers at Uppsala University will analyze atmospheres of earth-like exoplanets using the CRIRES+ instrument. The project seeks to determine if these planets can support life.
Astronomers at the Gemini Observatory have produced exceptionally high-resolution images of Pluto and its largest companion Charon using a method called reconstructive speckle imaging. The resulting images hint at the exoplanet verification power of large state-of-the-art telescopes combined with speckle imaging techniques.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a simulation model to study how planets form from protostellar disks. The models simulate key factors such as turbulence and temperature, which affect planet formation, providing insights into the conditions most favorable for planetary birth.
The James Webb Space Telescope's NIRISS and FGS instruments, developed by University of Montreal's Professor René Doyon, will study the universe from a record-breaking distance. These Canadian-made instruments will analyze stars and galaxies dating back to the Big Bang and search for life-supporting planetary systems.
A new method has been developed to measure the mass of non-transiting planets using carbon monoxide signatures in their atmospheres. This breakthrough technique allows for precise mass determination, opening a new path to study exoplanet properties and potentially detect molecules associated with life.