Hubble Observes Atmospheres of TRAPPIST-1 Exoplanets in the Habitable Zone

Released Monday, February 5, 2018

ID: 12844

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have conducted the first spectroscopic survey of Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system's habitable zone. Hubble reveals that at least the inner five planets do not seem to contain puffy, hydrogen-rich atmospheres similar to gaseous planets such as Neptune. This means the atmospheres may be more shallow and rich in heavier gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and oxygen.

Find the full story and press release at hubblesite.org.

Read the joint Hubble and Spitzer findings on nasa.gov.

The science paper is available from Nature Astronomy.

Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.

Music credit: "Deep Groove" by Danny McCarthy [ASCAP] and Thomas Dill [ASCAP]; Soundcast Music SESAC; Chronic Trax; Killer Tracks Production Music

Credits

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

Host
- Katrina Jackson (USRA)
Producer
- Katrina Jackson (USRA)
Editor
- Katrina Jackson (USRA)
Videographers
- John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
- Rob Andreoli (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)