Photo: Methane Detected on Distant Planet for First Time

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


An illustration depicts the extrasolar planet HD 189733b with its parent star peeking above its top edge.

Scientists recently found traces of methane in the planet's atmosphere, the first time an organic molecule has been detected on a world outside the solar system.

Image courtesy NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy

MOST VIEWED NEWS

"Monster" Lake's Rare Giants Lure Anglers, Biologists

Rare Mummy Found With Strange Artifacts, Tattoo in Peru

PHOTOS: Rare Mummy Found With Strange Artifacts, Tattoo
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample
Download Widget