Finding exoplanets can be relatively straightforward, but understanding their characteristics and atmospheres is more challenging. Advanced observatories are needed to study these atmospheres, such as by analyzing starlight that passes through them. A new method suggests using future telescopes to detect exoplanetary rainbows and other optical phenomena, which could reveal atmospheric details. NASA’s upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory, set for launch in the 2040s, aims to explore Earth-sized planets in habitable zones. This telescope could detect atmospheric phenomena by observing changes in brightness as exoplanets go through phases, similar to the moon. This research highlights the potential for new discoveries in exoplanet atmospheres, which could deepen our understanding of distant worlds.
QUESTION: How might discovering atmospheric phenomena on exoplanets change our understanding of the universe and our place in it?
How to see rainbows on exoplanets
