FOR KIDS: Out-of-this-world atmospheres

FOR KIDS: Out-of-this-world atmospheres

Light from a distant, giant world offers clues to the gases in its atmosphere

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: March 29, 2013

Light from a distant, giant world offers clues to the gases in its atmosphere

By Stephen Ornes

Web edition: March 29, 2013

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This drawing depicts the planet HR 8799c (foreground) orbiting its star. Two other planets can also be seen.

Credit: Image courtesy of Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics; Mediafarm

The study of planets outside the solar system just took a big jump forward. Scientists have for the first time identified atmospheres on some of these exoplanets; all four?circle the same star. The new information was calculated from light emitted by the distant worlds. It offers clues to what types of gases make up the planets' atmospheres. They're different?gas recipes than occur in atmospheres blanketing planets in our solar system.

Visit the new?Science News for Kids?website?and read the full story:?Out-of-this-world atmospheres

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Citations

E. Wayman. Distant planets? atmospheres revealed. Science News. April 6, 2013.Available online: [Go to]

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/349273/title/FOR_KIDS_Out-of-this-world_atmospheres

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