Thursday, April 18, 2013

Examining Exoplanets

Astronomers are beginning to develop techniques to allow them to directly study exoplanets using large, Earth-based telescopes.  For example. a system 128 light years away has four worlds, all more massive than Jupiter and extremely hot, that astronomers are studying.  All four are different one from the other, surprising astronomers by the chemical makeup of each atmosphere.

The techniques and technology are even starting to allow astronomers to infer cloud cover and cloud patterns on planets around other stars-- a remarkable feat that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

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