Detection of Atmosphere around planet GJ1132b

Scientists say they have discovered an atmosphere 39 light years away, around an Earth-like planet GJ 1132b, 1.4 times the size of our planet for the first time.

In their hunt for life beyond our solar system, the study published in the Astronomical Journal suggest that the super-Earth is surrounded by a thick layer of gases that either methane or water or both.

This world is not habitable as the surface temperatures 370ᵒC. Dr John Southworth, the lead researcher from Keele University said the planet lie in the Vela constellation in the southern hemisphere and the star it orbits is much smaller, cooler and dimmer than our Sun.

Using telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile, the researchers were able to study the planet by watching how it blocked some of the light of its hosts star as it passed in front of it.

Dr Southworth further said, “ What we have shown is that planets around low mass stars can have atmospheres and because there are so many of those in the Universe, it make it that much more likely that one might have a life.”