For exoplanets fans.

About HD 209458, the star: (seems older than I thought)

[Yellow Dwarf (0.9 to 1.4 solar masses, spectral class GO V) in the process of converting Hydrogen to Helium. The variable star designation for HD 209458 is V376 Pegasi.]

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_209458

---

[Now, Hubble observations seem to have revealed the missing water. Travis Barman of Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, US, did a computer analysis of previously obtained Hubble data taken when the planet partially eclipsed its parent star.]

[Inhospitable world
He says the relatively small amount of light filtering through at about 0.9 microns suggests the presence of water, which absorbs light at this wavelength.

"To me, that's a clear indication that water is there," Barman told New Scientist. "I think this is the first time we've had strong evidence that there's water in at least one extrasolar planet."

But despite the presence of water, he points out that the planet's prevailing temperatures of about 1000° Celsius mean conditions would not be favourable to life. "It's not a place you or I would want to visit," he says.]

From: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11576-first-sign-of-water-found-on-an-alien-world.html

----

[The two planets, HD 209458b and HD 189733b, are known as 'hot Jupiters' because they whip around their respective stars every few days at close range.
Scientists were expecting to see signs of water on the planets because computer models show that they formed with water at greater distances from their host stars before migrating inwards to their present locations. The planets' large masses mean they should be able to hold onto much of that water, despite being heated up by the nearby stars.]

From: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn11228-dusty-clouds-may-conceal-water-on-alien-worlds.html

Good reading and thanks to whoever posted this one.