Exoplanet Science logo.
April 13, 2015
The exoplanet HD189733, located 63 light-years from Earth, has hellish weather conditions, according to a study.
Artist's view of the exoplanet HD189733b
Astronomers from the Universities of Geneva (UNIGE) and Berne have closely studied the atmosphere of the exoplanet HD189733b, thanks to new measurement techniques. Their findings were unveiled Monday. On this planet, it is 3000 degrees and altitude winds to several thousand km/h.
These infernal weather could be measured by combining both approaches. One is based on the HARPS spectrometer and the other on a new way of interpreting the signal emitted by the sodium in the atmosphere, said in a statement the University of Geneva.
Hot and Stormy at High Altitudes on Exoplanet HD 189733b
According to the alma mater Geneva, this study opens "the way to exploring the atmospheres of exoplanets with more accessible tools that giant or space telescopes." It led to publications in journals "Astronomy & Astrophysics" and "Astrophysical Journal Letters".
The exoplanet HD189733b is 63 light years from Earth in the constellation Vulpecula. studies of this planet by the Universities of Geneva and Bern were conducted as part of the national research center PlanetS.
Related links:
Universities of Geneva (UNIGE) http://www.unige.ch/
Astronomical Observatory of Geneva http://www.unige.ch/sciences/astro/fr/
English: http://www.unige.ch/sciences/astro/en/
HARPS: http://obswww.unige.ch/Instruments/HARPS/
NCCR PlanetS: http://exoplanets.ch/nccr-planets/
Images, Tex, Credits: ATS/Universities of Geneva (UNIGE)/Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
Cheers, Orbiter.ch
