images

Artist's impression of exoplanet HD 189733b

by

ESA/C.Carreau/Novapix

Reference

a-exo99-00620

Date

2008-10-04

An artist's impression of a transiting exoplanet, named 'HD 189733b'. Scientists have reported the first conclusive discovery of the presence of water vapour in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our Solar System. Infrared analysis of this gas giant's transit across its parent star provided the breakthrough. The planet HD 189733b lies 63 light-years away, in the constellation Vulpecula. It was discovered in 2005 as it dimmed the light of its parent star by some three percent when transiting in front of it.