Posted on 05/10/2007 7:45:46 PM PDT by KevinDavis
First Map of an Extrasolar Planet
Cambridge, MA - For the first time, astronomers have created a rough map of a planet orbiting a distant sun-like star, employing a technique that may one day enable mapping of Earth-like worlds. Since the planet just charted is a gas giant and lacks a solid surface, the map shows cloud-top features. Using the Spitzer infrared space telescope, astronomers detected a bright hot spot that is offset from "high noon," where heating is greatest.
"We are getting our first good look at a completely alien world," said Heather Knutson, a graduate student at Harvard University and lead author of a paper about the research appearing in the May 10 issue of the journal Nature.
"We felt a little like Galileo must have felt when he first glimpsed Jupiter through the eyepiece of his telescope," Knutson continued.
(Excerpt) Read more at cfa.harvard.edu ...
Waterless planets surprise astronomers
AP on Yahoo | 2/21/07 | Seth Borenstein - ap
Posted on 02/21/2007 2:40:53 PM EST by NormsRevenge
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1788710/posts
Spitzer Sees Light From Faraway Worlds
RedOrbit | 2007/02/21 | NA
Posted on 02/22/2007 12:46:38 AM EST by neverdem
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1789011/posts
Alien Light: Taking The Spectra Of Extrasolar Planets
Science News | 2-23-2007 | Ron Cowen
Posted on 02/23/2007 7:13:43 PM EST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1790142/posts
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