Why the discovery of sulfur dioxide and photochemistry on an exoplanet is a big deal:
YouTube's friendly neighborhood astrophysicist, Dr. Becky (joined by Dr. Jake Taylor), discusses the recent findings of the presence of sulfur-dioxide (only possible through photochemistry) on WASP-39b, a planet in the constellation Virgo.
Dr. Becky explains why WASP-39b was chosen for early exoplanet exploration using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and why the ability to detect photochemistry is so important.
While WASP-39b is a gaseous hellscape, at 1500-degrees F, the discovery of sulfur-dioxide in the planet's atmosphere means that photochemistry is at work and confirms that the JWST is able to detect it. This means that the JWST will also be able to detect ozone (also produced through photochemistry) in the atmospheres of more Earth-like planets. Atmospheric ozone is critical in shielding UV radiation here on Earth and would likely function similarly on any planets that may harbor organic life.
(Score: 3, Offtopic) by AnonTechie on Tuesday December 06, @10:48AM (4 children)
I have not had mod-points for the past 3 days. Are any of others facing the same issue ??
Albert Einstein - "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
(Score: 3, Offtopic) by janrinok on Tuesday December 06, @10:53AM
Yes - me!
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Freeman on Tuesday December 06, @03:03PM
I've been using mod points. Not sure why you wouldn't have any.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday December 06, @07:03PM
I didn't notice any lack of mod points.
Lately I haven't been using them all. Not even close. And yes, I am fully aware that unused mod points end up eventually draining into our oceans where they will remain forever.
How often should I have my memory checked? I used to know but...
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Tuesday December 06, @08:21PM
I haven't moderated anyone yet today, but the buttons are there. Maybe your karma dropped too low for being offtopic?
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Tuesday December 06, @08:30PM (2 children)
I am privileged. I lived in a time when Men walked on the moon [mcgrewbooks.com]. In a few years, we will live in a time when women walk on the moon, and we might end up there permanently, despite the fact that the moon is a harsh mistress [wikipedia.org].
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 2) by mcgrew on Tuesday December 06, @08:35PM (1 child)
Wrong thread, please mod my above comment dowm; I forgot what we were talking about. I belongs here. [soylentnews.org]
What I was going to say in this thread was that this is indeed important. It doesn't prove life, but you can't have life without photosynthesis, which is a form or photoreactivity.
Carbon, The only element in the known universe to ever gain sentience
(Score: 3, Informative) by maxwell demon on Wednesday December 07, @06:24AM
In the deep sea, there are organisms that live from volcanic activity. So while it is quite likely that life will develop a form of photosynthesis, it is not true that you can't have it without.
Also note that the very early life on Earth did not do photosynthesis.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday December 09, @12:34AM
Or else life there would have much more redundancy in its reproductive and metabolic processes.