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Researchers Confirm Exoplanet Has Clouds Using Hubble Telescope
Exoplanet GJ 1214 b was discovered in 2009 by the MEarth project. Researchers now have strong evidence that it has an atmosphere. "[A] team of astronomers led by UChicago's Laura Kreidberg and Jacob Bean have detected clear evidence of clouds in the atmosphere of GJ 1214b from data collected with the Hubble Space Telescope. The Hubble observations used 96 hours of telescope time spread over 11 months. This was the largest Hubble program ever devoted to studying a single exoplanet. ... The first spectra, which were obtained by Bean in 2010 using a ground-based telescope, suggested that the planet's atmosphere either was predominantly water vapor or hydrogen-dominated with high-altitude clouds. ... More precise Hubble observations made in 2012 and 2013 allowed the team to distinguish between these two scenarios. ... The best explanation for the new data is that there are high-altitude clouds in the atmosphere of the planet, though their composition is unknown. Models of super-Earth atmospheres predict clouds could be made out of potassium chloride or zinc sulfide at the scorching temperatures of 450 degrees Fahrenheit found on GJ 1214b."
Let's see, wikipedia says it's as hot as an oven, seven times Earth's mass but far less dense; it isn't clear what gravity would be at its surface or even if it has a surface, if it does but it's possible you could put a bucket of corn oil with potatoes sliced into strips in it on the surface and get some pretty good french fries.
Of course, 42 light years is a little farther away than Jupiter.
Forty two light years... hmm... Could it be Magrathea?
Free Martian Whores!
I'm hoping this is just one of the best trolls I've seen in a while. If not, I would recommend counseling, and some Preparation H for the anal probing.
"Think about how stupid the average person is. Now, realise that half of them are dumber than that." - George Carlin
There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it's all dark.