Planet Composition: Detecting Exoplanets via Spectroscopy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the detection of exoplanets and their atmospheric composition through spectroscopy. Participants explore the effects of starlight on the light passing through a planet's atmosphere and the challenges associated with measuring low-intensity signals from distant exoplanets.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that spectroscopy can reveal the composition of an exoplanet's atmosphere by analyzing the absorption and emission spectra of light passing through it.
  • There is uncertainty about the impact of "star glare" on the light that passes through a planet's atmosphere, with questions raised about whether this glare affects the detectability of the exoplanet's atmospheric signals.
  • One participant argues that while emissions can provide information about atmospheric composition, the emitted light is scattered in all directions, making it difficult to detect sufficient signals from distant exoplanets.
  • Another participant mentions that current technology is at the edge of being able to estimate atmospheric composition, suggesting that improvements are needed for more accurate measurements.
  • There is a reference to a tentative mission aimed at advancing exoplanet spectroscopy, indicating ongoing efforts in this area.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of detecting atmospheric composition through spectroscopy, with some believing it is possible in principle while others highlight significant technological limitations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the effects of starlight on atmospheric signal detection.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the current technological constraints in detecting faint signals from exoplanets and the unclear definitions of terms like "star glare." There is also a lack of consensus on the effectiveness of current methods for determining atmospheric composition.

akashpandey
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when any exoplanet passes through any star we can see the intensity dip from which we can detect the planet when an exoplanet passes through any star by spectroscopy we can find planet composition.
So my question is did star glare effect light which is passes through planey atmosphere?
 
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akashpandey said:
when any exoplanet passes through any star we can see the intensity dip from which we can detect the planet when an exoplanet passes through any star by spectroscopy we can find planet composition.
So my question is did star glare effect light which is passes through planey atmosphere?

This technique does not tell us about the composition of the planet ..only it's atmosphere...
The last line of your post is not clear , please ask question again in a different way. ...what is "star glare?"
 
I mean when light passes through planet atmosphere ;some amount of light is absorbed and some amount is emitted.
So by emissions and absorption spectrum we can tell atmosphere composition.

So my question is when we do spectroscopy of light which is emitted by planet atmosphere has very low intensity because it is coming from very far so these small light is did not hide in star shine.
 
Yes it is possible that we could estimate the composition of an exoplanet atmosphere using spectroscopy.
However, at the present time that is at the edge of our technology, although I am sure things will improve.
At the moment it probable we could get some rough idea (for a few exoplanets) of gases which commonly exist in an atmosphere.
N2, CO2, CH4, H2O etc.
 
akashpandey said:
So by emissions and absorption spectrum we can tell atmosphere composition.

I don't believe we can receive any light by emissions ...this is produced when a photon is absorbed , and another is emitted , but the emitted light is scattered in all directions and so not enough would reach us .. the light we get has passed through the atmosphere of the exoplanet , a frequency is absorbed , the rest continues and reaches us...

akashpandey said:
So my question is when we do spectroscopy of light which is emitted by planet atmosphere has very low intensity because it is coming from very far so these small light is did not hide in star shine.

Yes , you would expect the small amount of light going through the atmosphere would be swamped, overpowered by the much more intense direct light from the star ... but apparently not.
 
So now we don't have any technology to find exoplanets atmosphere composition.
 

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