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Detecting the atmospheres of low-mass low-temperature exoplanets is a high-priority goal on the path to ultimately detect biosignatures in the atmospheres of habitable exoplanets. High-precision HST observations of several super-Earths with equilibrium temperatures below 1000 K have to date all resulted in featureless transmission spectra, which have been suggested to be due to high-altitude clouds. We report the detection of an atmospheric feature in the atmosphere of a 1.6 Mearth transiting exoplanet, GJ 1132b, with an equilibrium temperature of ~600 K and orbiting a nearby M dwarf. We present observations of nine transits of the planet obtained simultaneously in the griz and JHK passbands. We find an average radius of 1.44 +/- 0.21 Rearth for the planet, averaged over all the passbands, which can be decomposed into a "surface radius" at ~1.35 Rearth, and higher contributions in the z and K bands. The z-band radius is 4 sigma higher than the continuum, suggesting a strong detection of an atmosphere. We deploy a suite of tests to verify the reliability of the transmission spectrum, which are greatly helped by the existence of repeat observations. The large z-band transit depth indicates strong opacity from H2O and/or CH4 or an hitherto unconsidered opacity. A surface radius of 1.35 +/- 0.21 Rearth allows for a wide range of interior compositions ranging from a nearly Earth-like rocky interior, with ~70% silicate and ~30% Fe, to a substantially H2O-rich water world. New observations with HST and existing ground-based facilities would be able to confirm the present detection and further constrain the atmospheric composition of the planet.
What irks me is the crazy excitement every time they find one of these planets close to earth's size. Some of these planets may be in the "goldilocks" zone but that doesn't mean they will be earth like. There is far more going on here on earth than just temperatures that are life friendly.What is important is that the planets that we are seeing with our present primitive devices are earth size and composition, Indicates that when our systems have improved, we will see some that have atmospheres at life capable temperatures.
Quite a long time ago, a science fiction writer predicted that we would find habitable planets that would be significantly different than earth, enough so that they would alter the people that settled there. That was Larry Niven. Tales of the Known Universe.
Now we are seeing that prediction being fullfilled. That world is too hot, but there will be those that are not.
Quite a long time ago, a science fiction writer predicted that we would find habitable planets that would be significantly different than earth, enough so that they would alter the people that settled there. That was Larry Niven. Tales of the Known Universe.
Now we are seeing that prediction being fullfilled. That world is too hot, but there will be those that are not.
Dr. Robert L. Forward wrote a book called "Habitable Planets for Man" where he gives a mathematical formula to calculate an estimate for the number of planets we could use. There are MANY more that we can't. But that others likely have. It is remarkably simple minded to think that only carbon based creatures exist.
