<p>Could it be possible to detect exoplanets that have an abundance of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescence" rel="nofollow noreferrer">iridescent minerals</a> by analyzing their star's spectra over time as the angle in observation would lead to changes in absorbed wavelengths?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-02-03T19:55:34.180Z
Welcome to astronomy SE! I edited in a link, hope that is ok for you. I am sure you know https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_detecting_exoplanets
B--rian
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-09T06:15:32.857Z
Spectral lines are helpful in determining the chemical composition of exoplanets.
Nilay Ghosh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-13T23:16:00.183Z
It sounds like a very challenging observation. I'd guess it is impossible.  If it is possible, iridecencte is rare enough to make it of limited value.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-14T00:11:32.380Z
I've just asked a complementary question in Space SE: [Has iridescence ever been observed on any solar system body besides Earth? Or at least from a sample from one?](https://space.stackexchange.com/q/54588/12102)
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-14T00:37:20.307Z
and also [Has opalescence ever been observed on any solar system body besides Earth? Or at least from a sample from one?](https://space.stackexchange.com/q/54589/12102)
uhoh
<star><observational-astronomy><planet><exoplanet>
New method for exoplanet detection based on iridescence?
Florian Lienert
# New method for exoplanet detection based on iridescence?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-02-03)

Could it be possible to detect exoplanets that have an abundance of [iridescent minerals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescence) by analyzing their star's spectra over time as the angle in observation would lead to changes in absorbed wavelengths?

**Tags:** star, observational-astronomy, planet, exoplanet

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to astronomy SE! I edited in a link, hope that is ok for you. I am sure you know https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methods_of_detecting_exoplanets  
> **username_2**: Spectral lines are helpful in determining the chemical composition of exoplanets.  
> **username_3**: It sounds like a very challenging observation. I'd guess it is impossible.  If it is possible, iridecencte is rare enough to make it of limited value.  
> **username_4**: I've just asked a complementary question in Space SE: [Has iridescence ever been observed on any solar system body besides Earth? Or at least from a sample from one?](https://space.stackexchange.com/q/54588/12102)  
> **username_4**: and also [Has opalescence ever been observed on any solar system body besides Earth? Or at least from a sample from one?](https://space.stackexchange.com/q/54589/12102)  

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## 0 answers

