Molecular Basis for Life Found on Extrasolar Planet

DarkProphet writes "NASA scientists have discovered the first evidence of organic molecules on an extrasolar planet. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, they detected trace amounts of methane on a swirling gas giant about 63 light-years from our own planet. Being a gas giant, there's almost no chance this discovery represents extrasolar life. A unique find, just the same. 'HD 189733b, a so-called "hot Jupiter," located 63 light years away, has proven a boon for scientists studying exoplanets. Its large size and proximity to its star mean that it dims the star's light more than any other known exoplanet. Combine that with its home star's high brightness, and scientists find that the system creates the best viewing conditions of any known extrasolar system. At different wavelengths, every atom and molecule has its own telltale footprint, so scientists can convert what are known as absorption spectra into the chemical composition of the object they're looking at.'"

Comments

just to highlight

[ionix5891]

they found methane which is quite common in our solar system, its not that they found methane being present thats is the breakthrough here, its the fact that they have fine enough instruments to measure a planet ~60 light years away, this absolutely amazing! fairplay!!

the planet in question is bigger than Jupiter and closer to its sun than mercury, so its way too hot for any life "as we know it" to survive

Headline is misleading

[hcg50a]

The big deal, according to the article, is that they were able to detect it for the first time, not that it was discovered. It is expected to be present.

Here's a quote from one of the workers:

If we were able to detect [methane] on a more hospitable planet in the future, it would really be something exciting.

Re:Hydrogues

[wizardforce]

so what's the basis for ruling out life on gas giants 60 ly away?

the fact that it is 1300 degrees, so hot that water starts reacting with methane to produce carbon monoxide.