The Significance of the Sodium Detection in the Extrasolar Planet HD 209458 b Atmosphere
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چکیده
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) detection of an extra-solar planet atmosphere in 2001 was a landmark step forward for the characterization of extrasolar planets. HST detected the trace element sodium, via the neutral atomic resonance doublet at 593 nm, in the tran-siting extrasolar giant planet HD 209458 b. In this paper I discuss the significance of this first ever extrasolar planet atmosphere detection. I explain how the sodium measurement can be used as a constraint on HD 209458 b atmosphere models and review recent interpretations of the lower-than-expected sodium line strength.
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تاریخ انتشار 2003