Detection of oceans on exoplanets

Press/Media: Public Engagement

Period31 May 2019 → 27 Jul 2019

Media coverage

2

Media coverage

  • TitleThe colours of light wave vibrations can reveal oceans on exoplanets
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletTU Delft Planetary Exploration
    Media typeWeb
    Duration/Length/SizeCirca 447 words
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    Date27/07/19
    DescriptionDuring his Master thesis research, Victor Trees discovered a new method to detect oceans on exoplanets: spectropolarimetry, or measuring the vibrational directions of planet-light in different colours. Together with his supervisor, associate professor Planetary Sciences, Daphne Stam, Victor wrote an article about it, titled ‘Blue, white, and red ocean planets. Simulations of orbital variations in flux and polarization colors’. The article has just been published in the scientific journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, Volume 626. Nature Astronomy wrote a Research Highlight about the research.
    URLhttps://www.delftplanetary.nl/the-colours-of-light-wave-vibrations-can-reveal-oceans-on-exoplanets/
    PersonsV.J.H. Trees, D.M. Stam
  • TitleOcean detection by polarization colors
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNature Astronomy
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    Date31/05/19
    DescriptionThe detection of an ocean on the surface of an extrasolar planet is an eagerly awaited result. However, current observational techniques are not suited to investigate exoplanetary surfaces. Victor Trees and Daphne Stam make the case for polarization measurements of the reflected stellar light by the planet as a promising way to detect exo-oceans.
    Producer/AuthorLuca Maltagliati
    URLhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0817-9
    PersonsV.J.H. Trees, D.M. Stam