2023-05-12 18:28:00
Published on May 12, 2023 at 9:28 p.m
A bizarre planet finally demystified. Explanations.
Ten years of effort
For ten years, scientists have been trying to demystify an exoplanet located 40 light years from Earth. With the help of the Hubble telescope, some data had been collected, especially regarding the orbit and the size of the object. Some researchers think it is a super-earth, others a mini-Neptune. The planet orbits a red dwarf star in just 40 days.
James-Webb
Recent observations using the James-Webb telescope have allowed researchers to learn more regarding GJ-1214 b. The atmosphere of the exoplanet would be composed of heavy molecules such as water or methane. It would be too hot for liquid water to come to the surface. It is therefore water vapor that would be found in the atmosphere. Moreover, its albedo would be very high on the day side since it always presents the same face to its star. It is therefore in synchronous orbit. Obviously, GJ1214 b is inhospitable to life, but the characteristics of its atmosphere make it interesting to scientists.
Work to be done
Scientists hope to learn more regarding this type of planets, which are found in significant numbers in our galaxy. What is called a super-earth represents a telluric exoplanet with a mass between five and ten times that of the Earth.
Source : Nature
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