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Scientists have discovered a mysterious exoplanet dubbed a “hot Neputne” that is so hot that its atmosphere “shouldn’t exist”.
Researchers from the University of Kansas analyzed the planet, dubbed LTT 9779b.
Ian Crossfield, who led the study, said: “This planet is so intensely irradiated by its star that its temperature is over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and its atmosphere may have evaporated completely. However, our observations of Spitzer show us his atmosphere through the infrared light emitted by the planet. “
“This planet has no solid surface and is much hotter than even Mercury in our solar system – not only would lead melt in this planet’s atmosphere, but so would platinum, chromium and stainless steel.
(Image: Ricardo Ramirez / University of Chile)
“A year on this planet is less than 24 hours – that’s how fast it goes around its star. It is a rather extreme system. “
The planet was discovered by NASA’s TESS satellite last year, and now researchers have used a technique called a “phase curve” to analyze the panel’s atmosphere.
Mr. Crossfield said: “We measure the amount of infrared light emitted by the planet as it rotates 360 degrees on its axis. Infrared light tells you the temperature of something and where the hottest and coldest parts of this planet are – on Earth, it’s no longer hot at noon; it gets warmer a couple of hours in the afternoon.
(Image: Ethen Schmidt / University of Kansas)
“But on this planet, it’s actually warmer at almost noon. We see most of the infrared light coming from the side of the planet when its star is straight overhead and much less from other parts of the planet. “
The researchers hope the findings will encourage further research into the atmospheres of exoplanets.
Mr. Crossfield added: “I wouldn’t say we understand everything about this planet now, but we have measured enough to know that this will be a very fruitful object for future study.
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“It has already been targeted for observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, which is NASA’s next big multi-billion dollar space telescope to be available in a couple of years.
“What our measurements so far show us are what we call the spectral absorption characteristics – and its spectrum indicates carbon monoxide and / or carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We are beginning to understand which molecules make up its atmosphere.
“Because we see it, and the way this global temperature map looks, it also tells us something about how winds circulate energy and material through the atmosphere of this mini gas planet.”
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