The Hubble Space Telescope has identified a celestial gem in the vastness of our galaxy, the smallest exoplanet with detectable water vapour in its atmosphere. GJ 9827d was discovered in a distant world approximately twice the diameter of our own Earth.
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#NASA #AlienPlanet #GJ9827d #HubbleSpaceTelescope #SolarSystem #SpaceNews
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00:00 In the relentless pursuit of unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, NASA astronomers
00:07 utilizing the Hubble Space Telescope have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the
00:12 search for extraterrestrial life.
00:14 The Hubble Space Telescope has identified a celestial gem in the vastness of our galaxy,
00:20 the smallest exoplanet with detectable water vapor in its atmosphere.
00:25 Meet GJ 9827 d, a distant world approximately twice the diameter of our own Earth.
00:32 Positioned in the constellation of Pisces, this exoplanet orbits the star GJ 987, a staggering
00:39 97 light-years away from us.
00:42 Despite its Venus-like temperatures, reaching a scorching 752 degrees Fahrenheit, which
00:47 is equivalent to 400 degrees Celsius, GJ 9827 d has captured the attention of scientists
00:54 for its unique properties.
00:56 Laura Kreidberg, who is a key member of the research team and the director of the Atmospheric
01:00 Physics of Exoplanets Department of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, emphasized
01:05 the significance of this finding.
01:08 Kreidberg said, "The discovery of water on GJ 9827 d is exciting because it's the
01:14 smallest planet yet where we have detected an atmosphere.
01:18 It pushes us closer than ever to characterizing truly Earth-like worlds."
01:23 The Hubble telescope played a crucial role in this discovery, diligently observing GJ
01:28 9827 d over a span of three years, capturing 11 transits as the exoplanet crossed its star's
01:35 phase.
01:36 This meticulous observation is essential as the chemical composition of a planet's atmosphere
01:41 can be unveiled by analyzing the light it absorbs during transit.
01:45 However, the specifics of Hubble's findings regarding GJ 9827 d's atmosphere remain
01:52 uncertain.
01:53 NASA scientists leading this discovery will now embark on a journey to determine whether
01:58 the telescope detected a modest amount of water within a hydrogen-rich, expansive atmosphere
02:03 or if the exoplanet's atmospheric composition is predominantly water.
02:08 As scientists continue to explore the cosmos, each discovery takes us one step closer to
02:14 understanding the vast wonders that lie beyond our own celestial home.
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