Physics
Scientific paper
Mar 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008natur.452..329s&link_type=abstract
Nature, Volume 452, Issue 7185, pp. 329-331 (2008).
Physics
165
Scientific paper
Molecules present in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets are expected to influence strongly the balance of atmospheric radiation, to trace dynamical and chemical processes, and to indicate the presence of disequilibrium effects. As molecules have the potential to reveal atmospheric conditions and chemistry, searching for them is a high priority. The rotational-vibrational transition bands of water, carbon monoxide and methane are anticipated to be the primary sources of non-continuum opacity in hot-Jupiter planets. As these bands can overlap in wavelength, and the corresponding signatures from them are weak, decisive identification requires precision infrared spectroscopy. Here we report a near-infrared transmission spectrum of the planet HD 189733b that shows the presence of methane. Additionally, a resolved water vapour band at 1.9μm confirms the recent claim of water in this object. On thermochemical grounds, carbon monoxide is expected to be abundant in the upper atmosphere of hot-Jupiter planets, but is not identifiable here; therefore the detection of methane rather than carbon monoxide in such a hot planet could signal the presence of a horizontal chemical gradient away from the permanent dayside, or it may imply an ill-understood photochemical mechanism that leads to an enhancement of methane.
Swain Mark Raboin
Tinetti Giovanna
Vasisht Gautam
No associations
LandOfFree
The presence of methane in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The presence of methane in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The presence of methane in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-879014