Abstract
Determining the atmospheric structure and chemical composition of an exoplanet remains a formidable goal. Fortunately, advancements in the study of exoplanets and their atmospheres have come in the form of direct imaging - spatially resolving the planet from its parent star - which enables high-resolution spectroscopy of self-luminous planets in jovian-like orbits. Here, we present a spectrum with numerous, well-resolved molecular lines from both water and carbon monoxide from a massive planet orbiting less than 40 astronomical units from the star HR 8799. These data reveal the planet's chemical composition, atmospheric structure, and surface gravity, confirming that it is indeed a young planet. The spectral lines suggest an atmospheric carbon-to-oxygen ratio that is greater than that of the host star, providing hints about the planet's formation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1398-1401 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 339 |
Issue number | 6126 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 22 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General