Discovery of a New Exoplanet

It is a matter of great surprise for everyone that an exoplanet was unnoticed and undetected in Hubble images for a long time. A well known astronaut named David Lafreniere who researches at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada has showed his excellence in identifying this hidden exoplanet. With the help of Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectometer or NICMOS in 1998, the image was taken by the scientists but they overlooked this bright exoplanet at that time. However during 2007-2008, a team of scientists discovered this planet which is seven times bigger than Jupiter with the help of Keck and Gemini North telescope. According to the experts, this exoplanet is situated furthermost from center of the two gigantic planets which revolve around a star named HR8799 which is approximately  130 light years far away. As p er the statement of the astronauts, NICMOS failed to detect the remaining two inner planets because of its coronagraphic spot which hoodwinked the image of the star. This device also didn't allow the scientists to monitor the maneuver of this exoplanet.

In this connection, Lafrenier has expressed his vital opinion that with the advent of the very sophisticated and ultramodern image processing method, it has permitted the researchers to subtract the thick layer of light from the star which hoodwinks the surface of the coronograph. This type of glare subtracting process enabled the scientists to see the stars prominently. Lafreniere later modified the new technique so that researchers could see the exoplanet comfortably from the ground level. According to Travis Barman of Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, this exoplanet is partially covered with a filmy layer of the cloud. Water vapor level is lower than it would have been if the photosphere layer had been fully free from the dust particles.  These dust particles could have omitted all the spectral traits which would have been otherwise present over there inclusive of the water bands.

In actuality, the water line is little bit low due to the partial coverage of the dust cloud over the exoplanet. Last but not the least, Barman is confident and optimistic that by gauging the various components which help absorbing water, it will let scientists to know clearly about the temperature and the atmospheric pressure, If scientists are able to find out the water absorption process measuring the percentage of such components to complete the water vaporization cycle, it will be much easier to know the many secrets regarding this planet which is the outermost of the other planets.