Laura Kreidberg, directress of Max-Planck-Institute of Astronomy in Heidelberg
Laura studies the atmosphere of exoplanets, looking if the creation of life would be or is possible somewhere else. Measuring the difference of thermal radiation of the planet once it is in front of its sun and once it is behind its sun via infrared waves the scientist and her team can tell the brightness of the planet and therefor its temperature which is dependent on whether it has an atmosphere or not. If it does Laura can order another measurement with an spectrograph of James Webb telescope to check whether oxygen and methane can be found in that atmosphere. Usually these two gases react quickly with each other and build carbon dioxide. So if oxygen and methane were to be found, it would mean that something exists that produces both of them. This something on planet Earth means life.
Laura Kreidberg sent in four proposals to be able to use information from James Webb. Two of them were approved. 1172 were sent in in total.
Laura Kreidberg, directress of Max-Planck-Institute of Astronomy in Heidelberg
Laura studies the atmosphere of exoplanets, looking if the creation of life would be or is possible somewhere else. Measuring the difference of thermal radiation of the planet once it is in front of its sun and once it is behind its sun via infrared waves the scientist and her team can tell the brightness of the planet and therefor its temperature which is dependent on whether it has an atmosphere or not. If it does Laura can order another measurement with an spectrograph of James Webb telescope to check whether oxygen and methane can be found in that atmosphere. Usually these two gases react quickly with each other and build carbon dioxide. So if oxygen and methane were to be found, it would mean that something exists that produces both of them. This something on planet Earth means life.
Laura Kreidberg sent in four proposals to be able to use information from James Webb. Two of them were approved. 1172 were sent in in total.