APOD 3.08 Extrasolar planet

The Spitzer Space Telescope, in an attempt to find an atmosphere, was aimed at two different extrasolar planets. They reside in HD 209458b and HD189733b, indicating the stars are the lesser of a binary system. However, the planets were not found to have water. They did this by comparing eclipsed and uneclipsed: scientists were able to detect bright light-emitting gas blocked by the eclipse. Had the Spitzer found water vapor, it may have been evidence for life.