Title: NASA’s Hubble Telescope Discovers Water on Distant Exoplanet GJ 9827D
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has detected the presence of water in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet named GJ 9827D. This finding marks a significant milestone in the study of exoplanets, as GJ 9827D becomes the smallest planet of its kind to have water observed, according to astronomers.
GJ 9827D first caught the attention of scientists in 2017 when it was initially discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. Roughly two times the size of Earth, the exoplanet is located approximately 97 light years away. It orbits a red dwarf star and completes its orbit in just over six Earth days.
Described as a “landmark discovery,” the detection of water on GJ 9827D brings scientists closer to understanding Earth-like worlds. The breakthrough was made possible by the atmospheric observations made by the Hubble Space Telescope, which observed the planet during eleven transits over a period of three years, ultimately pinpointing water molecules within its atmosphere.
Notably, this is the first instance of an exoplanet of this type being observed around other stars. While it remains uncertain whether GJ 9827D is a “water world” or if the water vapor detection is solely within its hydrogen-rich atmosphere, the planet’s extreme temperatures, reaching around 800 degrees Fahrenheit, make it highly unlikely to support life.
However, if the exoplanet indeed has a hydrogen-rich atmosphere with water vapor, it could share similarities with Jupiter’s moon Europa. Scientists believe that the presence of water is key to unlocking further discoveries and insights into the nature of exoplanets.
This discovery sets the stage for future exploration and investigation. The upcoming launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will provide additional infrared observations, aiming to explore carbon-bearing molecules on exoplanets. By understanding the composition of these distant planets, scientists hope to gain invaluable knowledge about their formation.
The detailed findings of the research team were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, solidifying the significance of this groundbreaking discovery. With water now detected on GJ 9827D, scientists are optimistic about the potential it holds for unlocking the mysteries of the universe and potentially identifying habitable planets beyond our solar system.
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