Date: 27/09/2017 02:10:54
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 1123807
Subject: Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

The Hubble Space Telescope has observed an exoplanet – or planet orbiting a distant star – that looks as black as fresh asphalt. The planet is called WASP-12b, and it’s one of a class of so-called hot Jupiters, gigantic, gaseous planets orbiting close to their host stars and thereby heated to extreme temperatures. The astronomers say this planet is so black because it absorbs some 94 percent of the visible starlight falling into its atmosphere, rather than reflecting it back into space. Their work was published online on September 14, 2017 by the peer-reviewed journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. A statement from HubbleSite said:

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Date: 27/09/2017 11:21:02
From: The Rev Dodgson
ID: 1123850
Subject: re: Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

Tau.Neutrino said:


The astronomers say this planet is so black because it absorbs some 94 percent of the visible starlight falling into its atmosphere, rather than reflecting it back into space.

So it’s black because it’s black. Interesting.

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Date: 27/09/2017 21:30:38
From: KJW
ID: 1124042
Subject: re: Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

Tau.Neutrino said:

looks as black as fresh asphalt.

According to Wikipedia :

Wikipedia said:

The Moon has an exceptionally low albedo, giving it a reflectance that is slightly brighter than that of worn asphalt. Despite this, it is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun. This is partly due to the brightness enhancement of the opposition effect; at quarter phase, the Moon is only one-tenth as bright, rather than half as bright, as at full moon.

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Date: 27/09/2017 21:35:33
From: Tau.Neutrino
ID: 1124047
Subject: re: Astronomers find a pitch-black planet

KJW said:


Tau.Neutrino said:
looks as black as fresh asphalt.

According to Wikipedia :

Wikipedia said:

The Moon has an exceptionally low albedo, giving it a reflectance that is slightly brighter than that of worn asphalt. Despite this, it is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun. This is partly due to the brightness enhancement of the opposition effect; at quarter phase, the Moon is only one-tenth as bright, rather than half as bright, as at full moon.

Fresh asphalt is hot, so could be seen at infra red.

Hot roads in the sun on 30 degree plus days could be easily seen by infra red.

It can be still hot at night so can be seen at night.

The planet would be a dark reddish black.

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