. 24/7 Space News .
EXO WORLDS
Searching for Distant Worlds With a Flying Telescope
by Staff Writers
Bern, Switzerland (SPX) Sep 28, 2017


The observation target was GJ 1214b, a type of super-Earth or mini-Neptune. This class of medium-sized exoplanets occurs relatively frequently - but not in our solar system.

Researchers from the University of Bern, using an observatory on board a jumbo jet, have observed how the extrasolar Planet GJ 1214b is passing in front of its star, causing a kind of mini-eclipse. The first measurements of this kind with the observatory called SOFIA (short for Stratospheric Observatory for Infra-red Astronomy) prove that the flying observatory is well-suited to the observation of exoplanets.

SOFIA is a 2.5-metre telescope, built into a Boeing 747-SP - an American-German project.

"The observatory flies somewhat higher than commercial aeroplanes," explains Daniel Angerhausen of the Center for Space and Habitability (CSH) of the University of Bern: "In this sense, SOFIA is a space telescope that returns home every morning." The CSH researcher had already completed several test flights, but the most recent observations have been unprecedented.

"For the first time, we were able to use all the instruments available on SOFIA to research my speciality: transits of extrasolar planets," explains Daniel Angerhausen.

When, from our vantage point, a planet outside the solar system passes directly in front of its parent star, the planet occults parts of the star and makes it a little darker as in a mini-eclipse. Part of the starlight, however, passes through the planet's atmosphere before reaching us. This light can provide information about the composition, temperature, pressure and other characteristics of the planet's atmosphere.

"When we observe these transits from the ground, even from the best locations in Chile or Hawaii, the light not only passes through the exoplanet's atmosphere, but also that of the Earth, which jeopardises our readings", explains the scientist: "That is why it is so important for us to get up high with SOFIA."

Blown-up rocky planet or shrunken Neptune made of gas or ice?

The observation target was GJ 1214b, a type of super-Earth or mini-Neptune. This class of medium-sized exoplanets occurs relatively frequently - but not in our solar system.

Here there is not a single example. With their observations, Daniel Angerhausen and his international team, which also includes the CSH researcher Daniel Kitzmann, gathered data to find out whether GJ 1214b is more of a large rocky planet or a shrunken Neptune made of gas or ice.

The researchers have now published their measurements in the journal "Astronomy and Astrophysics". "Our results give some new clues, but no final knowledge about the nature of GJ 1214 b," summarises Daniel Angerhausen.

What is more important for him about the latest observations, however, is that they prove how suitable the flying telescope is for the researching of exoplanets.

"With the instruments, we were able to almost reach the theoretical limit by a factor of one-and-a-half to two", says the expert: "The sensitivity is thus sufficiently high for SOFIA to be able to play in the exoplanet transit league in future, together with the Hubble and Spitzer space telescope."

Although SOFIA is unlikely to become a hard-working first-team regular like those two, it may be used for special moves and to fulfil special tasks that would otherwise not be solved. Daniel Angerhausen is already looking forward to hunting exoplanets on many future stratospheric flights.

D. Angerhausen et al.: Simultaneous multicolor optical and near-IR transit photometry of GJ 1214b with SOFIA, Astronomy and Astrophysics, August 2017

EXO WORLDS
Scientists propose new concept of terrestrial planet formation
Hong Kong (SPX) Sep 21, 2017
Scientists have long been intrigued by the surfaces of terrestrial bodies other than Earth which reveal deep similarities beneath their superficially differing volcanic and tectonic histories. A team of scientists from NASA, Hampton University and the University of Hong Kong propose a new way of understanding the cooling and transfer of heat from terrestrial planetary interiors and how tha ... read more

Related Links
University Of Bern
Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

EXO WORLDS
Aussie astronaut calls for establishment of national space agency

Mapping NASA's Space Missions

NASA's New Hubble E-Book Series Dives into the Solar System and Beyond

Tech dreams live or die on startup battlefields

EXO WORLDS
What looks good on paper may look good in space

Demonstrator 3 linear aerospike ready to start tests

ISRO to resume satellite launches by December

Mechanisms are Critical to Space Vehicle Flight Success

EXO WORLDS
HIAD heat shield material feels the burn during arc jet testing

Devilish Source of Dust in Atmosphere of Earth and Mars

Hope to discover sure signs of life on Mars

3-D Analysis Offers New Info on Martian Climate Change, Age of Polar Caps

EXO WORLDS
Mars probe to carry 13 types of payload on 2020 mission

China's cargo spacecraft separates from Tiangong-2 space lab

Work on China's mission to Mars 'well underway'

Chinese company eyes development of reusable launch vehicle

EXO WORLDS
Thomas calls for new comprehensive Australian Space Agency at IAC address

AsiaSat 9 Set for Launch from Baikonur on September 29

Lockheed Martin introduces new satellite bus lineup

Bulgaria Sat Wins "Newcomer Satellite Operator of the Year" for 2017

EXO WORLDS
Ultra-light aluminum: USU chemist reports breakthrough in material design

Positive, negative or neutral, it all matters: NASA explains space radiation

Dosage formulations for anti-radiation drug being developed

Space radiation is risky business for the human body

EXO WORLDS
Scientists propose new concept of terrestrial planet formation

The return of the comet-like exoplanet

New prediction of a detection wavelength for searching phototrophs on exoplanets

Hubble observes pitch black planet

EXO WORLDS
Global Aerospace Corporation to present Pluto lander concept to NASA

Solving the Mystery of Pluto's Giant Blades of Ice

Pluto features given first official names

Hibernation Over, New Horizons Continues Kuiper Belt Cruise









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.