Exoplanet atmospheres
Why is JWST Having So Much Trouble with the TRAPPIST-1 System?
When the James Webb Space Telescope was launched it came with a fanfare expecting amazing things, much like the Hubble…
Could We Detect an Alien Civilization Trying to Warm Their Planet?
Humanity is facing an atmospheric threat of our own device, and our internecine squabbles are hampering our ability to neutralize…
Advanced Optics Could Help Us Find Earth 2.0
NASA has long been interested in building bigger and better space telescopes. Its Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC) has funded…
Sulphur Makes A Surprise Appearance in this Exoplanet’s Atmosphere
At our current level of knowledge, many exoplanet findings take us by surprise. The only atmospheric chemistry we can see…
Webb Explains a Puffy Planet
I love the concept of a ‘puffy’ planet! The exoplanets discovered that fall into this category are typically the same…
TRAPPIST-1 Outer Planets Likely Have Water
The TRAPPIST-1 solar system generated a swell of interest when it was observed several years ago. In 2016, astronomers using the Transiting…
Measuring the Atmospheres of Other Worlds to See if There are Enough Nutrients for Life
Life on Earth depends on six critical elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorous, and Sulfur. These elements are referred to…
The First Atmospheric Rainbow on an Exoplanet?
Astronomers think they've detected the first-ever rainbow-like "glory effect" on an exoplanet. The observations were made with ESA's Cheops mission,…
The Search for the Perfect Coronagraph to Find Earth 2.0
Studying exoplanets is made more difficult by the light from the host star. Coronagraphs are devices that block out the…
Planetary Atmospheres: Why study them? What can they teach us about finding life beyond Earth?
Universe Today has surveyed the importance of studying impact craters, planetary surfaces, exoplanets, astrobiology, solar physics, and comets, and what…