<p>Scientists can measure the chemical composition of the atmosphere of other planets using spectroscopy.  Each molecule in the atmosphere absorbs and re-radiates at specific frequencies of light that are a function of temperature and unique to the specific type of molecule.  For more information see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_atmosphere" rel="noreferrer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_atmosphere</a> and <a href="http://www.physics.uu.se/research/astronomy-and-space-physics/research/planets/exoplanet-atmospheres/" rel="noreferrer">http://www.physics.uu.se/research/astronomy-and-space-physics/research/planets/exoplanet-atmospheres/</a> .</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-10T06:49:48.437Z
2017-05-10T06:49:48.437Z
f.thorpe
<p>How can scientists measure chemical composition (oxygen, nitrogen etc) and temperature on other planets without being there? </p>

<atmosphere><planetary-science><atmospheric-chemistry>
How can scientists measure chemical composition on other planets?
Roberto Estrada
# How can scientists measure chemical composition on other planets?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-10)

How can scientists measure chemical composition (oxygen, nitrogen etc) and temperature on other planets without being there?

**Tags:** atmosphere, planetary-science, atmospheric-chemistry


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-10. Score: 5

Scientists can measure the chemical composition of the atmosphere of other planets using spectroscopy. Each molecule in the atmosphere absorbs and re-radiates at specific frequencies of light that are a function of temperature and unique to the specific type of molecule. For more information see <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial_atmosphere> and <http://www.physics.uu.se/research/astronomy-and-space-physics/research/planets/exoplanet-atmospheres/> .


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