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Atmosphere of Midsize Planet Revealed by Hubble, Spitzer

The Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes have revealed the atmosphere of a midsize planet, providing new insights into the composition and dynamics of exoplanetary atmospheres. The planet, known as GJ 3470 b, is a Neptune-sized world located about 96 light-years away from Earth. The observations suggest that the planet has a hydrogen-helium atmosphere with traces of heavier elements, and that it experiences strong winds that transport heat from its day side to its night side.

Introduction

The discovery of exoplanets has revolutionized our understanding of the universe and our place in it. With thousands of planets now known to orbit other stars, astronomers are able to study the diversity of planetary systems and learn about the conditions that give rise to different types of worlds. One key area of research is the study of exoplanetary atmospheres, which can reveal important information about a planet's composition, temperature, and dynamics.

Background

GJ 3470 b is a midsize planet with a radius about four times that of Earth and a mass about 14 times greater. It orbits a red dwarf star every 3.3 days at a distance of only 0.04 astronomical units (AU), or about 6 million kilometers. This close proximity means that the planet is tidally locked, with one side always facing its star and the other side always facing away.

Observations

To study GJ 3470 b's atmosphere, astronomers used both the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spitzer Space Telescope. They observed the planet as it passed in front of its star (a transit) and measured how much light was absorbed by its atmosphere at different wavelengths.

Results

The observations revealed that GJ 3470 b has a hydrogen-helium atmosphere with traces of heavier elements such as water vapor and methane. The atmosphere is also likely to be cloudy, which could explain why the planet appears smaller than expected at some wavelengths. The researchers also found evidence for strong winds that transport heat from the day side of the planet to the night side, where temperatures can drop to as low as -200 degrees Celsius.

Implications

The study of exoplanetary atmospheres is still a relatively new field, but it has already yielded important insights into the nature of planets beyond our solar system. By studying the composition and dynamics of exoplanetary atmospheres, astronomers can learn about the conditions that give rise to different types of worlds and better understand how planets form and evolve over time.

Conclusion

The observations of GJ 3470 b's atmosphere by the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes provide new insights into the composition and dynamics of midsize exoplanetary atmospheres. The discovery of strong winds on the planet highlights the complex interplay between a planet's atmosphere, its rotation, and its proximity to its star.

FAQs

Q: How far away is GJ 3470 b from Earth?

A: GJ 3470 b is located about 96 light-years away from Earth.

Q: What is GJ 3470 b's atmosphere made of?

A: GJ 3470 b has a hydrogen-helium atmosphere with traces of heavier elements such as water vapor and methane.

Q: Why is GJ 3470 b tidally locked?

A: GJ 3470 b is tidally locked because it orbits its star at a very close distance, causing its rotation to synchronize with its orbit.

Q: What can we learn from studying exoplanetary atmospheres?

A: By studying exoplanetary atmospheres, astronomers can learn about the conditions that give rise to different types of worlds and better understand how planets form and evolve over time.

Q: What are some of the challenges of studying exoplanetary atmospheres?

A: One of the main challenges of studying exoplanetary atmospheres is that they are often very faint compared to their host stars, making them difficult to observe. Additionally, the complex interplay between a planet's atmosphere, its rotation, and its proximity to its star can make it difficult to interpret observations.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

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planet (4), atmosphere (3)