Travis Barman
Encyclopedia
Travis Barman, is an astronomer at the Lowell Observatory
in Arizona. While studying a combination of the previously published Hubble Space Telescope measurements and new theoretical models, Barman found strong evidence for water absorption in the atmosphere of HD 209458 b
A planet about 150 light years away from earth; it was known previously that the planet contained an evaporating hydrogen atmosphere, along with oxygen and carbon. Though the planet is only 7 million kilometers away from its star, the planet is not hot enough to break the water molecules. The planet HD209458b, a transiting planet, passes in front of its star, where it can be viewed from earth every three-and-a-half days. When this happens, water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere causes the planet to appear slightly larger in the infrared part of the starlight than in the visible portion. Barman found the water signature after applying new theoretical models he developed to visible and infrared Hubble data collected by then Harvard graduate student Heather Knutson in 2007, which measured the perceived size of the planet over a broad range of wavelengths.
Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Lowell Observatory was established in 1894, placing it among the oldest observatories in the United States, and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965....
in Arizona. While studying a combination of the previously published Hubble Space Telescope measurements and new theoretical models, Barman found strong evidence for water absorption in the atmosphere of HD 209458 b
HD 209458 b
HD 209458 b is an extrasolar planet that orbits the Solar analog star HD 209458 in the constellation Pegasus, some 150 light-years from Earth's solar system, with evidence of water vapor....
A planet about 150 light years away from earth; it was known previously that the planet contained an evaporating hydrogen atmosphere, along with oxygen and carbon. Though the planet is only 7 million kilometers away from its star, the planet is not hot enough to break the water molecules. The planet HD209458b, a transiting planet, passes in front of its star, where it can be viewed from earth every three-and-a-half days. When this happens, water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere causes the planet to appear slightly larger in the infrared part of the starlight than in the visible portion. Barman found the water signature after applying new theoretical models he developed to visible and infrared Hubble data collected by then Harvard graduate student Heather Knutson in 2007, which measured the perceived size of the planet over a broad range of wavelengths.