Hubble measures atmospheric structure of extrasolar planet HD 209458b

The powerful vision of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has allowed astronomers to study for the first time the layer-cake structure of the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star. Hubble discovered a dense upper layer of hot hydrogen gas where the super-hot planet's atmosphere is bleeding off into space.

Credit:

NASA, ESA, and A. Feild (STScI)

About the Image

NASA press release
Id:opo0707b
Type:Artwork
Release date:31 January 2007, 19:00
Size:2400 x 2000 px

About the Object

Name:HD 209458b, Jupiter, Sun
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Solar System : Star
Solar System : Planet : Type : Gas Giant
Distance:150 light years
Category:Exoplanets

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