NASA astronomers, using the Hubble Space Telescope, have made a significant discovery by identifying the smallest exoplanet where water vapor has been detected in the atmosphere. The exoplanet, named GJ 9827d, is approximately twice the diameter of Earth and orbits a red dwarf star every 6.2 days. It was originally discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope in 2017.
GJ 9827d is as hot as Venus, with temperatures reaching 800 degrees Fahrenheit. The identification of water vapor in its atmosphere opens up possibilities for finding other planets with water-rich atmospheres in the galaxy. The discovery is considered a crucial step in understanding the prevalence and diversity of atmospheres on rocky planets.
The team of astronomers observed GJ 9827d during 11 transits over three years, using the Hubble program. During transits, starlight passing through the planet’s atmosphere reveals the spectral fingerprint of water molecules. The findings suggest that GJ 9827d could either be a mini-Neptune with a hydrogen-rich envelope containing water or a warmer version of Jupiter’s moon Europa, which has a significant amount of water beneath its crust.
The detection of water vapor on such a small exoplanet is a significant advancement in atmospheric studies, providing insights into the composition and conditions of planets beyond our solar system.
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