First molecule found on Super-Earth 55 Cancri e using ExoMol data
22 April 2016
Molecules have been detected on a Super-Earth for the first time! Unfortunately, this was poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas, so no visitation any time soon. Spectroscopic data in the form of line lists, produced by the UCL AMOPP ExoMol group, were used to analyse the atmosphere of 55 Cancri e and find the hydrogen cyanide signature: BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35586936) | Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3449601/Scientists-sniff-super-Earth-Atmosphere-analysed-distant-diamond-planet-s-poisonous-hydrogen.html) | Ars Technica (http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/02/astronomers-have-detected-a-super-earth-atmosphere-for-the-first-time/).