Hubble Detects "Sunscreen" Layer on Distant Planet

Its size and surface gravity are much larger than Earth’s, and its radiation environment may be hostile, but a distant planet called K2-18b has captured the interest of scientists all over the world. For the first time, researchers have detected water vapor signatures in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our solar system that resides in the — exoplanets with masses between those of Earth and Neptune — found by Kepler. NASA’s TESS mission is expected to detect hundreds more super-Earths in the coming years. The next generation of space telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, will be able to characterize exoplanet atmospheres in more detail.The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA (the European Space Agency) and NASA. Click HERE for FULL STORY about this exciting discovery.Click for quick link to soundbites from interview with Dr. Jennifer Wiseman. Canned interview with Dr. Jennifer Wiseman/ Hubble Senior ScientistTRT 7:45

With data from the Hubble Space Telescope, water vapor has been detected in the atmosphere of a super-Earth within the habitable zone of its host star.K2-18b, which is eight times the mass of Earth, is the only planet orbiting a star outside the solar system (or “exoplanet”) within the habitable zone.For more information, visit https://nasa.gov/hubble. Credit: NASA Universal Production Music Master versionHorizontal version. This is for use on any YouTube or non-YouTube platform where you want to display the video horizontally. Square VersionThis is a square 1:1 version of the video designed for Facebook or any other platform where you want to display a full-length square version of the video. Vertical versionThis vertical version of the episode is for IGTV or Snapchat. The IGTV episode can be pulled into Instagram Stories and the regular Instagram feed. Textless versionHorizontal version without text. This is for use on any YouTube or non-YouTube platform where you want to display the video horizontally and need to add new text.

Since the early 1990 s thick atmosphere, and low abundance of water - probably not your next vacation destination! For More InformationSee [http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-traces-subtle-signals-of-water-on-hazy-worlds/](http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-traces-subtle-signals-of-water-on-hazy-worlds/)

NASA s Kepler mission has discovered two new planetary systems that include three super-Earth-size planets in the habitable zone, the range of distance from a star where the surface temperature of an orbiting planet might be suitable for liquid water. Two of the newly discovered planets orbit a star smaller and cooler than the sun. Kepler-62f is only 40 percent larger than Earth, making it the exoplanet closest to the size of our planet known in the habitable zone of another star. Kepler-62f is likely to have a rocky composition. Kepler-62e, orbits on the inner edge of the habitable zone and is roughly 60 percent larger than Earth. The third planet, Kepler-69c, is 70 percent larger than the size of Earth, and orbits in the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun. Astronomers are uncertain about the composition of Kepler-69c, but its orbit of 242 days around a sun-like star resembles that of our neighboring planet Venus. Scientists do not know whether life could exist on the newfound planets, but their discovery signals we are another step closer to finding a world similar to Earth around a star like our sun. Diagrams show super-Earth-size planets discovered by Kepler. Diagrams show super-Earth-size planets discovered by Kepler. Diagrams show super-Earth-size planets discovered by Kepler. Diagrams show super-Earth-size planets discovered by Kepler. For More InformationSee [kepler.nasa.gov/Mission/discoveries](kepler.nasa.gov/Mission/discoveries)

An international team of astronomers using data from NASA s X-Ray Telescope. The image combines data from Sept. 13 and 14, 2011, and is 6 arcminutes across. Credit: NASA/Swift/Stefan Immler For More InformationSee [http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/exoplanet-atmosphere.html](http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/exoplanet-atmosphere.html)

The exoplanet HD 189733b lies so near its star that it completes an orbit every 2.2 days. In late 2011, NASA s interpretation of what the exoplanet, flare, and atmosphere loss might have looked like. Second still from animation For More InformationSee [http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/exoplanet-atmosphere.html](http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/exoplanet-atmosphere.html)