Space Telescope , Hubble discovered exoplanet GJ 1214b orbiting the red dwarf star close . Recent findings reveal the presence of thin clouds in the atmosphere on the alien planet .
Reported TheVerge , Wednesday ( 01/01/2014 ) , exoplanet GJ 1214b is 40 light years from Earth . The planet is known as ' super -earth ' hot orbiting red dwarf star .
Research reports in 2009 reveal GJ 1214b is one that is interesting to study exoplanets by astronomers . They studied these exoplanets and hope to find life in other solar systems .
Previously , the planet is described as having a low density or to contain a large gas giant rocks . Along with the ongoing study , researchers found no conclusions about the type of atmosphere on the planet .
Hubble telescope has uncovered atmosphere of GJ 1214b . Telescope sensors measure the light when the planet passes through the front of the diorbitnya . The telescope is equipped with infrared technology that can see more details of the gas to be around the planet .
Data from the Hubble telescope can be interpreted by astronomers . The first possibility , this exoplanet has the atmosphere, water vapor or other heavy molecules . The second possibility , the planet has clouds that are in high positions of the planets that can cover objects beneath it .
The study, led by Laura Kreidberg and Jacob Bean of the University of Chicago using Hubble to capture the precise measurement of infrared light .
Hubble observed for 96 hours and showed that the planet has clouds that blanketed the upper atmosphere . " I think it's interesting that we could use the Hubble telescope can make observations with the best precision , " said the researcher .
The level of precision is expected to be improved through Hubble 's successor , the James Webb Space Telescope is scheduled for launch in 2018 .
