Light originating from two planets residing outside of our solar system has been observed for the first time using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope.
From NASA’s point of view, this discovery, the first of its kind, ushers in “a new age of planetary science.” Using the telescope, scientists can now focus efforts on cataloging and measuring “extrasolar” planets.
“Spitzer has provided us with a powerful new tool for learning about the temperatures, atmospheres and orbits of planets hundreds of light-years from Earth,” said Dr. Drake Deming of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., lead author of a new study on one of the planets.
Dr. David Charbonneau of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics agrees with Dr Deming’s analysis by saying, “It’s fantastic. We’ve been hunting for this light for almost 10 years, ever since extrasolar planets were first discovered.”
According to NASA, Spitzer observed light from two “hot Jupiter” (gaseous) planets, designated HD 209458b and TrES-1, directly. In order to differentiate between the light stars and planets, astronomers turned to a comparison method. NASA explains:
First, they used Spitzer to collect the total infrared light from both the stars and planets. Then, when the planets dipped behind the stars as part of their regular orbit, the astronomers measured the infrared light coming from just the stars. This pinpointed exactly how much infrared light belonged to the planets. “In visible light, the glare of the star completely overwhelms the glimmer of light reflected by the planet,” said Charbonneau. “In infrared, the star-planet contrast is more favorable because the planet emits its own light.”
A measurement of the two newly discovered planets puts their respective surface temperatures at a minimum of 1000 degrees Kelvin (1340 Fahrenheit).
NASA rightfully feels the abilities of the Spitzer telescope will introduce a new era of planetary discovery.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for Murdok. Visit Murdok for the latest search news.