Detecting a planet hot ice

Astronomers from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) have discovered a planet that can be made of 'hot ice' around a small star 30 light-years from Earth.

This extrasolar planet has been discovered by scientists three years ago. It has 22 times the mass of Earth and revolves around a ' red dwarf ' named GJ1436 .

From OFXB Saint-Luc Observatory (Valais), Swiss astronomers have discovered the planet as it passes between the star and the Earth. Measuring the brightness of the star allowed the size of the planet to be determined.

When combining these two information (volume and size), researchers can estimate its density. They were surprised to find that the planet is not as solid as Earth, nor is it a gas like Jupiter and deduces that it is made of water . The planet is very close to its star and has a similar condition to the greenhouse effect that allows an estimated temperature of 300 degrees Celsius on the surface.

Researchers believe that planet GJ 436 is made up of water (Photo: NASA).

The atmosphere in this planet's atmosphere is in the form of vapor and inside it can be in the form of hot ice. This phenomenon is unknown in Earth but has been recreated in the laboratory.

According to the study author, Professor Frederic Pont, if the Earth's oceans are deeper, this hot ice form will be formed at the bottom.

Swiss astronomers will seek to analyze the planet's atmosphere by analyzing the light spectrum of the star before and while being obscured by the planet. These measurements will be made by Spitzer and Spitzer telescopes.

Planetary trajectory GJ 436 (Photo: Geneva University)

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