⚙️ how
How do astronomers measure the atmosphere of an exoplanet?
SpaceExoplanets
Quick Answer
They study the starlight that passes through, or is blocked by, the planet’s atmosphere. Different gases absorb different wavelengths and leave measurable signatures.
The Full Story
During a transit, a small fraction of the star’s light filters through the planet’s atmosphere before reaching us. By comparing the star’s spectrum during and outside transit, astronomers can detect absorption from gases such as water vapor, sodium, methane, or carbon dioxide. They also use secondary eclipses and direct thermal emission for some hot planets. Space telescopes like Hubble, Spitzer, and now JWST have made atmospheric studies far more powerful.
Key Facts
1.Transit spectroscopy compares spectra during and outside transit
2.JWST began science operations in 2022
3.Different molecules absorb different wavelengths
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"How to read the air of a planet 100 light-years away"