microrobert
06-30-2012, 05:53 PM
Scientists able to study atmosphere of planet outside our solar system using infra-red
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/27/article-0-13D13C54000005DC-1000_634x493.jpg
An artist's impression released by the European Southern Observatory shows the exoplanet Tau Bootis b: One of the first exo-planets discovered, and one in which astronomers have measured the atmosphere
Scientists have detailed the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system - and a difficult one at that.
The team, based as the Very Large Telescope based in Chile, were able to measure the amount of carbon monoxide present on Tau Bootis b - one of the first 'exoplanets' to be discovered back in 1996 - as well as the temperature at different altitudes.
They were able to measure the atmosphere without relying on a 'transit' of the planet - where it passes in front of its star.
That is important as, up to now, astronomers and scientists have had to rely on transits to measure the atmosphere.
Read more: Scientists able to study atmosphere of planet outside our solar system using infra-red | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2165560/Scientists-able-study-atmosphere-planet-outside-solar-using-infra-red.html#ixzz1zIfLeO7m)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/27/article-0-13D13C54000005DC-1000_634x493.jpg
An artist's impression released by the European Southern Observatory shows the exoplanet Tau Bootis b: One of the first exo-planets discovered, and one in which astronomers have measured the atmosphere
Scientists have detailed the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system - and a difficult one at that.
The team, based as the Very Large Telescope based in Chile, were able to measure the amount of carbon monoxide present on Tau Bootis b - one of the first 'exoplanets' to be discovered back in 1996 - as well as the temperature at different altitudes.
They were able to measure the atmosphere without relying on a 'transit' of the planet - where it passes in front of its star.
That is important as, up to now, astronomers and scientists have had to rely on transits to measure the atmosphere.
Read more: Scientists able to study atmosphere of planet outside our solar system using infra-red | Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2165560/Scientists-able-study-atmosphere-planet-outside-solar-using-infra-red.html#ixzz1zIfLeO7m)