A planet, orbiting another star, is found to have a presence of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere as discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope. This breakthrough discovery is one step ahead towards finding extra terrestrial life with chemical biotracers.
The planet in question is the HD 189733b. This planet is extremely hot to sustain life and is as big as Jupiter. With this observation by Hubble, it is evident that measuring basic chemistry required for life is possible on planets orbiting stars other than the Sun. Future possibility of detecting life beyond our planet is strengthened with the theory that presence of such organic compounds could actually be a by product of life.
Water vapor was detected on the HD 189733b previously by the Spitzer Space Telescope and Hubble observations. Methane was also found in the atmosphere of this planet by Hubble beginning of the year.
According to Eric Smith from the Washington headquarters of NASA, Hubble, which was conceived for the purpose of observing the distant universe is actually opening up exciting possibilities in comparative planetary science and astrophysics. We will now be able to study on the composition of atmosphere in distant planets in orbit around other stars.
Research scientist from the Pasadena, California’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA, Mark Swain studied infrared emissions from this planet situated sixty three light years away from earth with the help of the multi-object spectrometer and infrared camera of the Hubble. This study resulted in identification of both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Presence of carbon dioxide opens up possibilities of presence of life in the planet.