Astronomers Discover Earth-Sized Exoplanet
Using the HARPS spectrograph attached to the 3.6-m ESO telescope at La Silla Chile, a team of Swiss, French, and Portuguese astronomers have discovered the most Earth-like exoplanet to date.
Using the HARPS spectrograph attached to the 3.6-m European Southern Observatory telescope at La Silla, Chile, a team of Swiss, French, and Portuguese astronomers have discovered the most Earth-like exoplanet to date.
The planet, known as "e" in the Gliese 581 planetary system, is only about twice the mass of Earth. Planet Gliese 581e orbits its host star in just 3.15 days. Because its mass is equivalent to about 1.9 Earth-masses, it is very likely to be a rocky planet, according to the researchers. However, its proximity to its host star makes it unlikely that the planet is habitable. Thanks to these new observations, the researchers have concluded that another planet in the system, Gliese 581d (discovered in 2007) is in the habitable zone, where liquid water could exist. Gliese 581d is about 7 Earth-masses in size.
The gentle pull of an exoplanet as it orbits its host star introduces a tiny wobble in the star's motion that can be detected on Earth through the use of spectroscopy. HARPS (High Accuracy Radial Velocity for Planetary Searcher) is believed to be the most precise spectrograph in the world, and is one of the most successful instruments for detecting exoplanets.
New SERS-Microfluidic Platform Classifies Leukemia Using Machine Learning
January 14th 2025A combination of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning on microfluidic chips has achieved an impressive 98.6% accuracy in classifying leukemia cell subtypes, offering a fast, highly sensitive tool for clinical diagnosis.
Advancing Soil Carbon Analysis Post-Wildfire with Spectroscopy and Machine Learning
January 14th 2025Researchers from the University of Oviedo used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and machine learning (ML) to analyze post-wildfire soil organic carbon fractions, identifying key spectral regions and algorithms for advancing remote sensing applications.
Oligonucleotide Analysis in Pharmaceutical Quality Control
January 14th 2025Melting point determination using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry can be used as a sequence-specific method for identifying therapeutic oligonucleotides in pharmaceutical quality control. This method offers a simple, highly selective approach to differentiate between isomers and ensure the integrity of oligonucleotide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and drug products.
The Optical Properties of Solid Samples
January 14th 2025Transmittance and reflectance measurements, which are useful for estimating the effects of various physical processes, can include thermal treatments, ionizing radiation exposure, optical exposure, and mechanical treatments—on both crystals and thin films.
