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Comparison of WASP-121b Stratosphere with Brown Dwarf Atmosphere
This diagram presents evidence for the existence of a stratosphere on a planet orbiting another star. As on Earth, the stratosphere increases in temperature with altitude. The water emissions from the Jupiter-sized planet's upper atmosphere show this. The results are in marked contrast to the spectrum of a failed star, a brown dwarf, which shows water absorption because the atmosphere is cooling with altitude increase.
- Release DateAugust 2, 2017
- Science ReleaseHubble Detects Exoplanet with Glowing Water Atmosphere
- Credit
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Artist's View of WASP-121b
Artist’s Concept of Exoplanet with Glowing Water Atmosphere This is an artist’s impression of the gas giant exoplanet WASP-121b. The bloated planet is so close to its star that the tidal pull of the star stretches it into an egg shape. The top of the planet's atmosphere is...
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Last Updated
Mar 14, 2025
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Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov