Image credit: ESO

Exoplanet atmosphere studied from Earth

Posted on Thursday, 4 February, 2010 | 3 comments

Astronomers have been able to use new ground-based techniques to study the atmosphere of a distant extrasolar planet.

This new development could help open up study of extrasolar planets without the need for space based telescopes. Observing the atmospheres of these planets allows astronomers to determine the composition and whether or not its feasible that life could exist there.

Astronomers have used a new ground-based technique to study the atmosphere of a planet outside our Solar System. The work could assist the search for Earth-like planets with traces of organic, or carbon-rich, molecules.

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Source: BBC News

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Recent comments on this story

#1 Posted by kobolds on 4 February, 2010, 13:17
yeah right. it's more like an assumption than technique to me . for as long as no one can reach the exoplanet , no one can prove them wrong

#2 Posted by ROGER on 5 February, 2010, 6:45
You may be right, but it's not an unusably technique for other optical systems used today. A better satellite image enhancement perhaps?

#3 Posted by DONTEATUS on 5 February, 2010, 16:07
Sometimes one gets the impression that Science and all that it has given us is in question by some people ? I would bet that Exoplanet exploration will grow and reveil good and proper Science as does most Endevours on this Planet. To the Stars !

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