New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Climate and Science => Space, Science and Nature => Topic started by: JennyLeez on May 06, 2018, 12:49:03 AM
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Hubble detects helium in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time.
May 2, 2018
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have detected helium in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-107b. This is the first time this element has been detected in the atmosphere of a planet outside the Solar System. The discovery demonstrates the ability to use infrared spectra to study exoplanet extended atmospheres.
The exoplanet WASP-107b is a gas giant, orbiting a highly active K-type main sequence star. The star is about 200 light-years from Earth. Using spectroscopy, scientists were able to find helium in the escaping atmosphere of the planet -- the first detection of this element in the atmosphere of an exoplanet.
(http://nzpws.net/nzwn/images/exoplanet_wasp.jpg)
More: www.sciencedaily.com (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180502131817.htm)