The James Webb Telescope would have discovered the first atmosphere around a rocky planet in another solar system!

Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope recently discovered atmospheric gases around 55 Cancri e, an extremely hot rocky exoplanet located 41 light-years from Earth. This discovery provides the most compelling evidence to date for the existence of atmosphereatmosphere around rocky planetrocky planet outside our solar system. This opens up new perspectives on understanding planets beyond our solar system and could help us better characterize the atmospheric conditions and properties of planets. super-earthssuper-earths hot, which enriches our knowledge about the diversity of planets inhabiting the Universe.

Author of a study published in the journal NatureRenyu Hu from Jet Propulsion LaboratoryJet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) NASANASAemphasizes that James-Webb ” opens new horizons in the study of rocky exoplanets and opens up unprecedented research opportunities “.

55 Cancri e is a super-Earth orbiting starstar Looks like SunSunlocated in Constellation CancerConstellation Cancer. Although it is classified as a super-Earth because its size is larger than Earth but smaller than Earth. NeptuneNeptuneand likely composed of materials similar to the rocky planets of our solar system, it has a unique environment.

Due to its extreme proximity to its star, which is approximately 2.5 million kilometers away, 55 Cancri e finds itself in extreme conditions. Its surface could be in mergermergercreating the ocean magmamagma bubbles on its surface. Moreover, due to its orbitorbit very close to each other, it is possible that it will be gravitationally locked and one side will always be facing the star – meaning that one side will be constantly illuminated by daylight, while the other side will be constantly plunged into darkness.

Since its discovery in 2011, observations have been made of 55 Cancri e. However, the existence of an atmosphere remains mysterious due to its high temperature and intense flow of stellar radiation. Despite numerous observations since its discovery in transittransit in 2011 the question remains open as there are two competing theories. The first assumes the presence of a substantial atmosphere rich in volatile substances such asoxygenoxygenL’nitrogennitrogen And carbon dioxidecarbon dioxidewhile the second suggests that the planet is devoid of atmosphere except for a thin curtain of vaporized rock composed of elements such as siliconsilicon, ironironL’aluminumaluminum And calciumcalcium.

Fascinating insight into how this exoplanet’s atmosphere may be structured

As noted in the press release, data collected from thermal temperature measurements suggest that the planet may have a volatile-rich atmosphere around the planet, influencing the distribution of heatheat and observed patterns. Tools MiriMiri AND NIRKamNIRKam on board space telescopespace telescope found a temperature of 1540 degrees, which is lower than what would be expected in the absence of an atmosphere, that is, if the planet was covered only with molten rock or if it had no atmosphere.

Observations indicating the presence carbon monoxidecarbon monoxide or carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 55 Cancri e open the way to a better understanding of its atmospheric composition and functioning. Additionally, the ongoing process of atmospheric regeneration by the planet’s magma ocean, containing a variety of dissolved gases and materials, highlights the complex dynamics of this world. exoticexotic. In addition to carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, other gases such as nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide may be present. sulfursulfurvaporized stone and even cloudsclouds tiny droplets washwash in a condensed form arouse the interest of researchers.

Although 55 Cancri e is too hot for life, scientists believe it offers a unique opportunity to study and better understand the complex interactions between the atmospheres, surfaces and interiors of rocky planets.

Better understand the history of Earth, Venus and Mars

The unique characteristics of this exoplanet provide a natural laboratory for studying key processes that may have played a role in the evolution of our solar system and Earth, particularly in the early stages of its formation, as well as in the early stages of its formation. VenusVenus and Mars, when they were covered with oceans of magma. By studying planets like 55 Cancri e, which have experienced extreme conditions such as magma oceans, scientists can gain important information about the geological, atmospheric and thermal mechanisms that govern these worlds. Understanding these conditions is key to determining what might make a rocky planet habitable.

Such a deep understanding of the processes occurring on such planets can give us knowledge about the conditions necessary for habitability andappearanceappearance life on rocky planets.