Which one of the following elements was detected recently by the NASA/ESA Hubble telescope on the exoplanet WASP-1076 which orbits a star that is about 200 light years away?

Key Points

• Helium was detected on the exoplanet WASP-107b by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
• This discovery marks the first time that helium has been found in the atmosphere of an exoplanet.
• Helium is the second most common element in the universe and is a crucial component in the study of exoplanetary atmospheres.
• The presence of helium in the atmosphere of WASP-107b suggests that the planet has an extended and possibly evaporating atmosphere.

Additional Information

• Exoplanet
  • An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.
  • The first exoplanet was discovered in 1992.
  • As of now, thousands of exoplanets have been discovered, varying in size, composition, and distance from their stars.
  • Studying exoplanets helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
• WASP-107b
  • WASP-107b is a gas giant exoplanet discovered in 2017.
  • It orbits its star, WASP-107, which is about 200 light years away from Earth.
  • The planet has a very low density, leading scientists to believe it has a thick atmosphere composed mostly of hydrogen and helium.
• NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
  • The Hubble Space Telescope is a joint project between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
  • Launched in 1990, it has provided detailed images and spectra of celestial objects, leading to numerous discoveries in astronomy.
  • Hubble has been instrumental in the study of exoplanets, among other areas of research.