Universe ID: 12319

Hubble Makes First Measurements of Earth-Sized Exoplanet Atmospheres

Released on July 20, 2016

On May 4th, 2016, the Hubble Space Telescope made the first spectroscopic measurements of two of the three known Earth-sized exoplanets in the TRAPPIST-1 system just 40 light-years away. Now the results are in: a thick, puffy, hydrogen-helium atmosphere is likely ruled out from the possible range of atmospheres for these two planets.

Additional visuals from the European Southern Observatory can be downloaded here: http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1615/E

Animation - Artist concept of the double-transit Hubble observed on May 4, 2016, when planets TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c passed across the disk of their host star just minutes apart.

For More Information

http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-hubble-telescope-makes-first-atmospheric-study-of-earth-sized-exoplanets

Credits

Lead Producer:
Katrina Jackson (USRA)

Host:
Katrina Jackson (USRA)

Editor:
Katrina Jackson (USRA)

Videographers:
Rob Andreoli (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)

Scientists:
Jennifer Wiseman (NASA/GSFC)
Hannah Wakeford (USRA)
Julien de Wit (MIT)

Animator:
Greg Bacon (STScI/Aura)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center