Probing Alien Atmospheres

January 22, 2025

NASA's Pandora mission is an exciting new venture aimed at exploring the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. This mission is designed to provide in-depth studies of at least 20 known planets orbiting distant stars, focusing on the composition of their atmospheres, especially the presence of hazes, clouds, and water. Pandora is a small satellite, which will be launched in the second half of 2025.

The primary scientific objective of Pandora is to analyze the atmospheres of exoplanets during transits. A transit occurs when an exoplanet passes in front of its parent star, allowing part of the star's light to skim the planet's atmosphere before reaching Earth. This interaction allows scientists to detect chemical fingerprints in the light, such as dips in brightness at characteristic wavelengths, which indicate the presence of atmospheric substances.

One of the unique aspects of Pandora is its ability to distinguish between light from the host star and light passing through the exoplanet's atmosphere. This capability is crucial for accurately interpreting measurements and identifying potential signs of habitability. Pandora's near-infrared detector, originally developed for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), allows for simultaneous visible and near-infrared spectrum analysis.

The mission is a collaboration among several institutions, with significant contributions from leading space research organizations. The mission operations center will play a crucial role in managing and directing the satellite throughout its journey. The data collected by Pandora will establish a firm foundation for interpreting measurements by other advanced telescopes and future missions aimed at searching for habitable worlds. By better understanding the atmospheres of exoplanets, scientists hope to identify planets that could potentially harbor life. Learn more about Pandora at NASA.

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