New method developed to find exoplanets

Astronomers looking for Earth-like planets in other solar systems have a new field guide thanks to scientists at Washington University in St. Louis.

Bruce Fegley, a Washington University professor of Earth and planetary sciences, and his laboratory assistant, Laura Schaefer, used thermo chemical equilibrium calculations to model the chemistry of silicate vapor and steam-rich atmospheres formed when Earth-like planets are undergoing accretion.

During the accretion process, with surface temperatures of several thousands degrees Kelvin, a magma ocean forms and vaporizes.

"What you have are elements that are typically found in rocks in a vapor atmosphere," said Schaefer. "These are the indicators of an Earth-like planet forming."

Fegley said such an event should be easily detectable because silicon monoxide gas is observable using infrared and radio wavelength telescopes.

•	New method developed to find exoplanets United Press International, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005

•	Field Guide Created for Confirming New Earth-like Planets RedNova.com (TX), Thursday, Sept. 8, 2005

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