Experiment · EN/DE
Atmospheric Elements of Exoplanets — Spectral Analysis Game
An interactive educational game in which students identify the chemical elements in an exoplanet's atmosphere by analysing absorption spectra — available for Android, Windows, and macOS.
Overview
How do astronomers know what an exoplanet's atmosphere is made of — without ever visiting it? The answer is spectral analysis. This educational game, developed by Jan-Niklas Hissel at the University of Cologne, teaches students the principle of spectroscopy and its application to exoplanet atmospheres. Players analyse absorption spectra of stars and planets and identify the chemical elements present, building a direct understanding of the biosignature concept.
An introductory video provides context on why atmospheric composition matters for the search for life.
| Grades | 7–10 |
| Subject | Physics, Natural Sciences |
| Method | Interactive educational game |
| Duration | Variable |
| Language | German, English |
| Platform | Android, Windows (32- and 64-bit), macOS |
Background
When light from a star passes through a planet's atmosphere during a transit, different molecules absorb different wavelengths. The resulting spectrum carries a unique fingerprint: water vapour absorbs at specific infrared wavelengths; oxygen at 760 nm; ozone, carbon dioxide, and methane each have their own signatures. Detecting these absorption features in an exoplanet's transmission spectrum is one of the primary goals of the James Webb Space Telescope.
The simultaneous presence of oxygen and methane in an atmosphere would be particularly significant — the two react with each other and cannot coexist in equilibrium without a constant replenishment source, which on Earth is biology.
Running the Game
The game must be run in 16:9 format for correct layout:
| Resolution | Supported |
|---|---|
| 1920 × 1080 | ✓ |
| 1600 × 900 | ✓ |
| 1366 × 768 | ✓ |
| 1280 × 720 | ✓ |
To start, open the folder for your platform and click Determine elements of the atmosphere.exe (Windows) or the equivalent launcher on other platforms. Further windows will guide you into the game.
Downloads
Downloads for Android (.apk), macOS, and Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) are available at astro-lab.app.
For questions or technical issues, contact the developer: Jan-Niklas Hissel, University of Cologne.
Connection to Real Missions
JWST's NIRSpec and MIRI instruments use exactly this principle — transmission spectroscopy during planetary transits — to detect atmospheric signatures. JWST has been publishing results on the TRAPPIST-1 system since 2023 (e.g. TRAPPIST-1b and c with MIRI).