First super-Earth exoplanet with an atmosphere

Atmosphere analysed on distant 'super-Earth'

Question: Recently NASA have found a super-Earth exoplanet with an atmosphere for the first time, Its distance from Earth is-
(a) 20 Light years
(b) 40 Light years
(c) 15 Light years
(d) 80 Light years
Ans (b)
Related facts:

  • On 16 February 2016 NASA astrophysicists has have discovered a “super-Earth” exoplanet with an atmosphere with the help of Hubble telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
  • These NASA astrophysicists were working with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the University College London.
  • This for the first time that a large planet has been identified by astronomers with the atmosphere, which has been termed as “super Earth” .
  • It has been named as 55 Cancri e and located around 40 light years away and is eight times bigger than earth.
  • Astronomers found evidence for hydrogen and helium in its atmosphere, but no water.
  • The surface temperatures on 55 Cancri e is estimated to be 3,630 degrees Fahrenheit (2,000 degrees Celsius) as it is close to its host star.

Reference:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-35586936
http://www.space.com/31946-exoplanet-super-earth-atmosphere-hubble-video.html
http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/17/nasa-finds-its-first-super-earth-exoplanet-with-an-atmosphere/