The Weird and Wonderful Worlds Of Exoplanets
September 15th 2011 02:17
Category: extrasolar planets
My simple rendition of how planet Tres-2b may look like.
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The universe is a vast expanse it has untold stars galaxies and nebulas multitudes of black holes,
the list goes on.
With new refinements in distant planet hunting technology has lead to new and exciting discoveries. Since the early discoveries of new worlds beyond our galaxy in the latter part of the 20th century many new previously unknown objects have been found.
Distant stars that have massive planets orbiting around them. There are many truly bizarre objects yet to be discovered beyond or Solar System and even our galaxy.
A recent exoplanet called Tres-2b is perhaps one most bizarre distant planet found so far.
The planet has the blackest surface than any other object found to date. If fact the planets is blacker than coal with a reflectivity factor ( albedo) that is below 1%.
We currently don’t know what triggered the darkening effect on this particular object.
Planet Tres-2b orbits a star much like our Sun some 700 light-years away in the constellation of Draco (The Dragon).Planet Tres-2b orbits its Sun at a distance of only 4000000 km.
Orbiting so close to the Sun the surface temperatures on the planet can exceed 1,800°F (1,000°C). It is not known what type of substance caused the darkening of the plant’s surface.
A technique called photometry is used to measure the planet’s brightness in terms of reflectivity. In order to measure the full reflectivity of the planet other measurements were conducted when the planet was on the far side of its Sun.
It is not yet known why Tres-2b is so extraordinarily dark. We can only go on the current data we have in calculating the amount of optical absorption that is created within the planet’s atmosphere.
The amount of extreme heat causing the chemicals within the planet’s atmosphere to react would possibly account for the low reflectivity. We don’t fully understand the molecular makeup of the planet’s atmosphere or any possible trigger that would account in making this planet dark.
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