For the first time, the atmosphere is exoplanet Very warm and remarkably expanded. This achievement was achieved thanks to a group of astronomers from the University of Arizona, who collaborated with an international team of scientists using the space telescope. James Webb of NASA. The study, which appears in the journal Nature Astronomy, describes an exoplanet with dimensions similar to Jupiter, but 10 times less mass; this revealed a discrepancy between the eastern and western sides of the atmosphere, indicating a marked difference between the two regions.
“This is the first time that an east-west asymmetry has been observed on an exoplanet as it crosses in front of its star.He said Matthew Murphy A graduate student at the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory and lead author of the report, Murphy explained that “a transit occurs when a planet passes in front of its star, similar to what happens when the moon covers the sun during an eclipse.”
The east-west asymmetry refers to atmospheric differences, such as temperature or cloud composition, that have been detected between the two hemispheres. Understanding whether this asymmetry exists is crucial to analyzing the climate, atmospheric dynamics, and weather patterns of exoplanets—planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.
Wasp-107B, The exoplanet studied is in sync with its star’s rotation.This means that the same hemisphere always faces the star, while the other hemisphere constantly looks out into space, creating a cycle of perpetual day on one side and perpetual night on the other.
Search
Murphy and his team used transmission spectroscopy from the James Webb Space Telescope to analyze the atmosphere.This is the main method we use to determine the atmospheric composition of exoplanets,Murphy explained. As it passed the planet, the telescope collected a series of data that revealed details about the atmosphere. With the help of new technologies and James Webb’s unprecedented resolution, the researchers were able to isolate signals coming from the eastern and western sides of the atmosphere, and get a more specific view of the dynamics that were taking place.
“These observations provide us with important information about the gases, clouds and structure of the atmosphere, as well as how these properties vary with exposure to starlight.Murphy added.
WASP-107b has unique properties.
WASP-107b has an extremely low density and low gravity, resulting in an atmosphere that is significantly more extensive than the other two. outer planets With a similar block.We have no similar counterpart in our solar system: it is truly unique even among the outer planets,With a temperature of about 890 degrees Fahrenheit, WASP-107b falls into the middle class between planets in our system and the hottest known planets, Murphy said.
“Our observing techniques have not usually been effective for these medium-sized planets, but now we can begin to answer long-standing questions,Murphy explained,Some of our models did not predict the WASP-107b asymmetry, so we are already learning new information.I.”
Study of exoplanets
“Scientists have been analyzing exoplanets for nearly twenty years, and numerous observations, both from Earth and space, have helped to make hypotheses about what their atmospheres might look like.“However, this is the first time we have seen these variations directly through space-based transmission spectroscopy, our primary tool for understanding exoplanet atmospheres — it’s truly amazing,” said Thomas Petty, co-author of the study and a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Murphy’s research group is now analyzing the data collected and plans further observations to better elucidate the dynamics responsible for this disparity.”Most exoplanets cannot be observed directly, let alone given details of what is happening on their sides. Murphy highlighted. “This is the first time we have been able to get such a detailed view of the atmospheres of exoplanets,”“And he concluded.
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