tau Ceti (HD10700), a G8 dwarf with solar mass of 0.78, is a close (3.65 pc) sun-like star where 5 possibly terrestrial planet candidates (minimum masses of 2, 3.1, 3.5, […]
extrasolar
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Water, Methane and Carbon Monoxide in the Atmosphere of Exoplanet HR8799b
Absorption lines from water, methane and carbon monoxide are detected in the atmosphere of exoplanet HR8799b. A medium-resolution spectrum presented here shows well-resolved and easily identified spectral features from all […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Some Habitable Exoplanets Could Experience Wildly Unpredictable Climates
As telescopes of ever-greater power scan the cosmos looking for life, knowing where to look and where not to waste time looking will be of great value. New research by […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Varying Cloud Coverage and Reflected-Light Exoplanet Phase Curves
We use a planetary albedo model to investigate variations in visible wavelength phase curves of exoplanets. The presence of clouds on these exoplanets significantly alters their planetary albedo spectra. We […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
What Is The Mass of Alpha Cen B b?
We investigate the possibility of constraining the sin i degeneracy of alpha Cen B b — with orbital period P=3.24 d; a = 0.042 AU; msini = 1.1 M_earth — […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
UV Habitability of Possible Exomoons in Observed F-star Planetary Systems
In the present study we explore the astrobiological significance of F-type stars of spectral type between F5 V and F9.5 V, which possess Jupiter-type planets within or close to their […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
A New Chemical Scheme to Study Carbon-rich Exoplanet Atmospheres
Atmospheres with a high C/O ratio are expected to contain an important quantity of hydrocarbons, including heavy molecules (with more than 2 carbon atoms). To study correctly these C-rich atmospheres, […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Determining Interior Structure of Rocky Exoplanets From Mass and Radius Measurements
We present an inversion method based on Bayesian analysis to constrain the interior structure of terrestrial exoplanets, in the form of chemical composition of the mantle and core size. Specifically, […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Earth-like Planets More Likely to Orbit Sun-like stars – Not Lower-mass Stars
Simulations by researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University indicate that Earth-like planets are more likely to be found orbiting Sun-like stars rather than lower-mass stars that are […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Earth and Terrestrial Planet Formation
The growth and composition of Earth is a direct consequence of planet formation throughout the Solar System. We discuss the known history of the Solar System, the proposed stages of […]