Astronomy Archives

  1. Quartz-like Crystals Found in Planetary Quartz-like crystals found in planetary disks

    NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope has, for the first time, detected tiny quartz-like crystals sprinkled in young planetary systems. The crystals, which are types of silica minerals called cristobalite and tridymite, can be seen close-up in the black-and-white insets (cristobalite is on the left, and tridymite on the right). The main picture is an artist’s concept Continue reading...

  2. 异域(Alien World)

    科学家们已经首次确凿的,在我们的太阳系外(异域),的一颗行星的大气层中发现了水蒸气的存在。 这幅艺术创作向我们展示了一个巨大的气体异域行星正飞过它的恒星表面。美国国家航空航天局的斯必泽太空望远镜对该系统进行的红外光谱分析,对此提供了突破口。 行星HD 189733b, 距狐狸星群(Vulpecula)约63光年。2005年,当它飞过它的父级恒星时被发现。 Image credit: NASA/ESA/C.Carreau Continue reading...