Hubble telescope discovers alien planet with water outside Solar System (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronomers, using the Hubble Space Telescope, have identified the smallest exoplanet with detectable water vapour in its atmosphere.
- GJ 9827d, approximately twice the diameter of Earth, stands out as a potential example of planets with water-rich atmospheres in our galaxy.
GJ 9827d:
- The newly-found exoplanet demonstrates Venus-like temperatures, reaching 752 degrees Fahrenheit (400 degrees Celsius).
- Despite its scorching conditions, the finding is significant due to the unique properties of this distant world.
- GJ 9827d, boasting a size around twice that of Earth, orbits the star GJ 987, positioned approximately 97 light-years away in the constellation of Pisces.
Why it matters?
- The Hubble Telescope diligently observed GJ 9827d over a span of three years capturing 11 transits as the exoplanet crossed its star's face.
- This meticulous observation is crucial as the chemical composition of a planet's atmosphere can be unveiled by analysing the light it absorbs during a transit.
What’s next?
- However, NASA said that the specifics of Hubble's findings regarding GJ 9827d's atmosphere are currently uncertain.
- The astronomers leading this discovery will now study whether the telescope detected a modest amount of water within a hydrogen-rich, expansive atmosphere or if the exoplanet's atmospheric composition is predominantly water
Europe to launch EnVision mission in 2031 to study Venus and its inner core
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially approved the EnVision mission, which promises to provide unprecedented insights into Venus, our closest planetary neighbour.
Aim:
- Slated for a 2031 launch aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, EnVision will embark on a comprehensive study of Venus, from its fiery inner core to the dynamic outer atmosphere.
- This ambitious mission aims to shed light on the planet's complex history, geological phenomena, and extreme climate conditions.
Key Highlights:
- EnVision's suite of sophisticated instruments will dissect Venus's secrets. The mission will be the first to directly measure the planet's subsurface features with a radar sounder, providing clues about its geological activity.
- VenSAR, another advanced radar tool, will deliver detailed surface maps, revealing the planet's topography with up to 10-meter precision.
- The mission's trio of spectrometers will analyse the composition of Venus's surface and atmosphere, offering insights into volcanic gases and potential signs of active volcanism. These observations will also contribute to understanding how surface events influence atmospheric conditions.
- A radio science experiment will complement these instruments by probing Venus's internal structure, including the size and composition of its core and mantle, as well as examining atmospheric properties.
Future Prospects:
- By investigating the interplay between Venus's surface, interior, and atmosphere, EnVision will help scientists piece together the planet's geological and climatic evolution.
- The mission's findings could also inform our knowledge of Earth-like exoplanets, enhancing our grasp of habitable zones and planetary development across the cosmos.
