Astronomers found water vapor on a planet that’s about the size of Neptune and located outside of our solar system.
Astronomers have found water vapor on a planet that’s about the size of Neptune and located outside of our solar system.
Its distance from Earth is reported to be around 124 light years.
Until now, examining the elements of exoplanets has been largely limited to those the size of Jupiter or greater, as the available equipment has a tough time with smaller celestial bodies.
All too often, views are compromised by cloud cover that prevents the detection of key indicators.
Scientists got a rare chance to analyze this one because they caught it while it was obstruction-free and passing its host star.
Telescopes at the ready, they were able to get the readings they needed to declare that the planet has water vapor.
Before adding exoplanet HAT-P-11b to your holiday card list keep in mind that the finding isn’t an assurance of life.
It does, however, provide a bit of a boost to the search for living things throughout the universe.
The news has also made some particularly hopeful for what the James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble, will be capable of finding with its advanced and upgraded features.
