Do Pulsar Planets form as a bi product of the super nova when the star is destroyed, or does the Pulsar Planet form from another factor other than the super nova?
Pulsar planets can form from the metallic debris of a supernova, but that's not the only explanation for their existence. The planets could have barely survived the supernova explosion, or they could have existed elsewhere and become captured in a pulsar's orbit. It's still relatively unknown, but based on what I've read, formation from supernova debris seems to be the most likely explanation.
As far as I'm aware, planets that are large and close to their stars are the easiest to discover and thus are discovered most frequently. Such planets are typically gas giants or super earths.
Star light can be blocked out using a device called a coronagraph. Basically, the coronagraph serves as a tiny disk that covers the view of the star through a telescope; this can be thought of as an artificial eclipse. To be effective for distant stars, coronagraphs are usually combined with techniques such as adaptive optics.
According to NASA, temperatures of up to 2400K have been estimated for these planets. Such a planet is likely tidally locked to its star, so only one side of the planet faces the star at all times. We can estimate the temperature of these planets using the planet's infrared brightness and phase.
If the planet has the right temperature, size (gravitational pull), and composition, it could potentially be habitable by living species. However, the challenge is getting to the exoplanet in the first place. The closest one is 10.5 light-years away (according to NASA), and we can't travel anywhere close to the speed of light (yet).
Because there are so many exoplanets in existence, it is thought to be possible that some of them contain life. However, NASA hasn't currently found any exoplanets with life on them. This is mostly because we don't have the technology to see the composition and atmosphere of exoplanets, let alone what is on the surface.
How do scientists know that these exoplanets are similar to our planets in the solar system? Have they ever been able to sample the material these planets are made from?
Most of the similarity discovered boils down to mass, which can be estimated using what we know about physics and how the planet affects its star. This, combined with estimated distance from the star, helps us estimate temperature and thus what materials would be present within the planets. We could also use spectral emissions to determine the elements present on/near the planets. As for sampling material, this has not been done yet because the planets are very far away; we don't currently have the technology to send probes to exoplanets or examine the surface of exoplanets.
Do Pulsar Planets form as a bi product of the super nova when the star is destroyed, or does the Pulsar Planet form from another factor other than the super nova?
ReplyDeletePulsar planets can form from the metallic debris of a supernova, but that's not the only explanation for their existence. The planets could have barely survived the supernova explosion, or they could have existed elsewhere and become captured in a pulsar's orbit. It's still relatively unknown, but based on what I've read, formation from supernova debris seems to be the most likely explanation.
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ReplyDeleteWhich type of exoplanet is discovered most frequently?
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware, planets that are large and close to their stars are the easiest to discover and thus are discovered most frequently. Such planets are typically gas giants or super earths.
DeleteHow exactly do they block out the light from a star that is so far away in order to take a picture of an exoplanet?
ReplyDeleteStar light can be blocked out using a device called a coronagraph. Basically, the coronagraph serves as a tiny disk that covers the view of the star through a telescope; this can be thought of as an artificial eclipse. To be effective for distant stars, coronagraphs are usually combined with techniques such as adaptive optics.
Deletewhat is the estimated temperature of the hottest hot jupiter exoplanet?
ReplyDeleteAccording to NASA, temperatures of up to 2400K have been estimated for these planets. Such a planet is likely tidally locked to its star, so only one side of the planet faces the star at all times. We can estimate the temperature of these planets using the planet's infrared brightness and phase.
DeleteCan exoplanets be inhabited by living species?
ReplyDeleteIf the planet has the right temperature, size (gravitational pull), and composition, it could potentially be habitable by living species. However, the challenge is getting to the exoplanet in the first place. The closest one is 10.5 light-years away (according to NASA), and we can't travel anywhere close to the speed of light (yet).
DeleteIs there any exoplanets with life forms on them?
ReplyDeleteBecause there are so many exoplanets in existence, it is thought to be possible that some of them contain life. However, NASA hasn't currently found any exoplanets with life on them. This is mostly because we don't have the technology to see the composition and atmosphere of exoplanets, let alone what is on the surface.
DeleteHow do scientists know that these exoplanets are similar to our planets in the solar system? Have they ever been able to sample the material these planets are made from?
ReplyDeleteMost of the similarity discovered boils down to mass, which can be estimated using what we know about physics and how the planet affects its star. This, combined with estimated distance from the star, helps us estimate temperature and thus what materials would be present within the planets. We could also use spectral emissions to determine the elements present on/near the planets. As for sampling material, this has not been done yet because the planets are very far away; we don't currently have the technology to send probes to exoplanets or examine the surface of exoplanets.
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ReplyDeleteAbout how many exoplanets do we discover every year?
ReplyDeleteHow are Exo-Earth's a thing if their have been no actual discoveries?
ReplyDelete