NASA Discovers Smallest Exoplanet with Water Atmosphere

NASA Discovers Smallest Exoplanet with Water Atmosphere

VoM News Desk | January 26, 2024 | 10:54 AM IST | Science & Technology, Technology | Follow on Google News

NASA Discovers Smallest Exoplanet with Water Atmosphere

NASA Discovers Smallest Exoplanet with Water Atmosphere

In a significant breakthrough, NASA astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have identified the smallest exoplanet with a detected water-rich atmosphere. Here are key details:

• Planet Details: The exoplanet, named GJ 9827d, is approximately twice Earth’s diameter and as hot as Venus, with temperatures around 800 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Detection Method: NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope discovered GJ 9827d in 2017. The Hubble program observed the planet during 11 transits over three years, detecting the spectral fingerprint of water molecules in its atmosphere.
• Significance: This marks the first direct detection of the atmosphere of such a small planet, opening the possibility of water-rich atmospheres around other stars.
• Two Possibilities: Scientists suggest GJ 9827d could either have a hydrogen-rich envelope with water, resembling a mini-Neptune, or it could be a warmer version of Jupiter’s moon Europa, with potential water content making up half of the planet.
• Observation Insight: The detection of water is considered a gateway to understanding a planet’s elements, helping scientists compare it to the star it orbits and gain insights into its formation.

This discovery showcases advancements in exoplanet research, providing valuable information about the diversity of atmospheres on rocky planets beyond our solar system.

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