Tag: LIFE telescope
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Observing Spatial and Temporal Variations in Rocky Exoplanet Atmospheres with LIFE
Introduction: The quest to map exoplanet atmospheres in four dimensions As astronomers push the boundaries of observing nearby rocky exoplanets, the goal is no longer just to detect atmospheric components. The emerging field seeks to characterize how atmospheric chemistry varies across a planet’s surface and over time. Mid-infrared observations promise a window into 4D (three…
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Observing Spatial and Temporal Variations in Rocky Exoplanet Atmospheres: Prospects for LIFE-era Insights
Introduction: Why 4D Atmospheric Chemistry Matters As telescopes edge closer to characterizing rocky exoplanets beyond our solar system, the ability to observe not just a planet’s composition but how its atmosphere changes in space and time becomes increasingly essential. Spatial and temporal variations in atmospheric chemistry offer a window into climate dynamics, surface–atmosphere exchange, and…