Hubble Views Moon to Study Earth

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have detected ozone in Earth's atmosphere by using the moon as a mirror to reflect sunlight. This method serves as a proxy for observing planets around other stars. The experiment marked the first time ultraviolet light passing through Earth's atmosphere was observed from space, detecting ozone's spectral fingerprint. Ozone, linked to photosynthesis, could indicate life on other planets. Detecting ozone on distant worlds is challenging, but space telescopes can overcome Earth's atmospheric limitations. The transit method allows probing of exoplanet atmospheres. Hubble's experiments on Earth during a lunar eclipse mimic exoplanet transits, aiding future studies to find habitable planets.

What innovative method did astronomers use to detect ozone in Earth's atmosphere?

• Using a satellite orbiting Mars

• Using the moon as a mirror

• Observing from a ground-based telescope

• Direct observation of Earth

Why is ozone considered a potential indicator of life on other planets?

• It is produced by volcanic activity

• It is associated with photosynthesis and oxygen

• It is found only on Earth

• It is a rare element in the universe

What is a transit in the context of exoplanet observation?

• A planet moving away from its star

• A planet passing in front of its star

• A star exploding

• A planet colliding with another planet

What makes observing terrestrial planets more challenging than gas giants?

• Their larger size

• Their thicker atmospheres

• Their smaller size and thinner atmospheres

• Their proximity to Earth

How did astronomers simulate the observation of a transiting terrestrial planet?

• By observing a solar eclipse

• By observing a comet

• By using a lunar eclipse

• By using a solar flare