Sensing the Atmosphere of Distant Planets

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03/21/2008

Mar. 21, 2008

Sensing the Atmosphere of Distant Planets

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Scientists using the Hubble Space Telescope have been able to detect the chemical signature of methane in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a star 63 light-years away. It's the first detection of an organic molecule around an exoplanet, a planet outside our solar system. The observations also confirmed previous work that detected the presence of water in the atmosphere.

The planet, known as HD189733b, is a 'hot Jovian' type planet, with conditions too harsh to allow any known type of life. "We are really excited about this detection because it is a dress rehearsal for future searches for life on more hospitable planets," said Mark Swain, one of the researchers on the project.

The methane was detected by its chemical signature in the near-infrared transmission spectrum of photons passing from the planet's sun through the edge of the planet's atmosphere. The researchers hope that other instruments, including the James Webb Space Telescope planned to come online in about 5 years, will be able to do similar analysis on more distant planets. Details of the methane observations were published this week in the journal Nature. In this segment, Ira talks with one of the astronomers involved with the project about the work, and what it means to the search for life elsewhere in the universe.

Produced by Charles Bergquist, Director and Contributing Producer

Guests

Mark Swain
Research Scientist

Deputy Director for JPL Exoplanet Center of Excellence

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

California Institute of Technology

Pasedena, California

Mar. 21, 2008