Hubble Uncovers a ‘Heavy Metal’ Exoplanet Shaped Like a Football : 無料・フリー素材/写真
Hubble Uncovers a ‘Heavy Metal’ Exoplanet Shaped Like a Football / NASA Goddard Photo and Video
| ライセンス | クリエイティブ・コモンズ 表示 2.1 |
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| 説明 | This artist's illustration shows an alien world that is losing magnesium and iron gas from its atmosphere. The observations represent the first time that so-called "heavy metals" — elements more massive than hydrogen and helium — have been detected escaping from a hot Jupiter, a large gaseous exoplanet orbiting very close to its star. The planet, known as WASP-121b, orbits a star brighter and hotter than the Sun.The planet is so dangerously close to its star that its upper atmosphere reaches a blazing 4,600 degrees Fahrenheit. A torrent of ultraviolet light from the host star is heating the planet's upper atmosphere, which is causing the magnesium and iron gas to escape into space. Observations by Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph have detected the spectral signatures of magnesium and iron far away from the planet. The planet's "hugging" distance from the star means that it is on the verge of being ripped apart by the star's gravitational tidal forces. The powerful gravitational forces have altered the planet's shape so that it appears more football shaped. The WASP-121 system is about 900 light-years from Earth.More here: www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/hubble-uncovers-a-heavy...Credits: NASA, ESA, and J. Olmsted (STScI)NASA image use policy.NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission.Follow us on TwitterLike us on FacebookFind us on Instagram |
| 撮影日 | 2019-08-03 08:00:01 |
| 撮影者 | NASA Goddard Photo and Video , Greenbelt, MD, USA |
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