Exotic Exoplanet

Spitzer_ssc2010-05b_1024

spitzer_ssc2010-05b April 21st, 2010

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (SSC/Caltech)

An unusual, methane-free world is partially eclipsed by its star in this artist's concept. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope has found evidence that a hot, Neptune-sized planet orbiting a star beyond our sun lacks methane -- an ingredient common to many planets in our own solar system.

Models of planetary atmospheres indicate that any world with the common mix of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen, and a temperature up to 1,000 Kelvin (1,340 degrees Fahrenheit) should have a large amount of methane and a small amount of carbon monoxide.

The planet illustrated here, called GJ 436b is about 800 Kelvin (or 980 degrees Fahrenheit) - it was expected to have methane but Spitzer's observations showed it does not.

The finding demonstrates the diversity of exoplanets, and indicates that models of exoplanetary atmospheres need to be revised.

Provider: Spitzer Space Telescope

Image Source: http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3041-ssc2010-05b-Exotic-Exoplanet

Curator: Spitzer Space Telescope, Pasadena, CA, USA

Image Use Policy: Public Domain

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Image Details

Image Type
Artwork
Object Name
GJ 436b
Subject - Milky Way
Planet > Type > Gas Giant
Planet > Special Cases > Transiting
Planet > Special Cases > Hot Jupiter

Distance

Universescale1
33 light years
Spitzer_ssc2010-05b_1280
×
ID
ssc2010-05b
Subject Category
B.1.1.2.   B.1.3.1.   B.1.3.2.  
Subject Name
GJ 436b
Credits
NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (SSC/Caltech)
Release Date
2010-04-21
Lightyears
33
Redshift
33
Reference Url
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/images/3041-ssc2010-05b-Exotic-Exoplanet
Type
Artwork
Image Quality
Good
Distance Notes
Facility
Instrument
Color Assignment
Band
Bandpass
Central Wavelength
Start Time
Integration Time
Dataset ID
Notes
Coordinate Frame
Equinox
Reference Value
Reference Dimension
Reference Pixel
Scale
Rotation
Coordinate System Projection:
Quality
FITS Header
Notes
Creator (Curator)
Spitzer Space Telescope
URL
http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu
Name
Email
Telephone
Address
1200 E. California Blvd.
City
Pasadena
State/Province
CA
Postal Code
91125
Country
USA
Rights
Public Domain
Publisher
Spitzer Science Center
Publisher ID
spitzer
Resource ID
ssc2010-05b.tif
Metadata Date
2011-09-02
Metadata Version
1.1
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Detailed color mapping information coming soon...

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Universescalefull
33 light years

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