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Saturday, September 6, 2008

Photo: First Proof of Wet "Hot Jupiter" Outside Solar System


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An artist's impression shows the extrasolar planet HD 189733b passing in front of its parent star. The planet is a so-called hot Jupiter, a gas giant that orbits much closer to its host star than our solar system's largest planet.

A new study has found evidence that HD 189733b has water vapor in its atmosphere, a find that the study authors say is the first clear evidence of water on an exoplanet.

Image courtesy Christophe Carreau, ESA