Atmosphere on World Around Another Star

Astronomers using the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope have made the first direct detection and chemical analysis of the atmosphere of a planet outside our solar system. Their unique observations show it is possible to measure the chemical makeup of extrasolar planetary atmospheres -- and potentially to search for chemical markers of life far beyond Earth.

The Jupiter-sized planet orbits a yellow, Sun-like star called HD 209458 that lies 150 light-years away in the constellation Pegasus.

NASA: Full Story

Photo © NASA: Artist's Concept — "Hot Jupiter" Around the Star HD 209458

Date of publication: 28/11/2001

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