The exoplanet WASP-76b is one of the most extreme, with a daytime temperature of more than 2,000 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to vaporize metals.
WASP-76b, which has received a lot of attention since its discovery in 2013, is an ultra-hot gas planet 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces, and has an extremely close orbit around its host star, completing one orbit in just 1.8 Earth days.
This proximity to the star is what leads to extreme daytime temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat is thought to vaporize the iron, which then condenses into a liquid on the cooler night side and falls as iron rain.
This planet, with its harsh conditions, is a prime target for scientists who have been trying for years to understand the underlying physical mechanisms at work in its atmosphere. A “rainbow” was discovered there last April, on the border between its day and night sides, in addition to iron rain falling on its night side, and the presence of barium in the upper atmosphere.
In a new paper published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, a team of astronomers led by the University of Geneva announces the discovery of intense iron winds in the atmosphere of WASP-76b.
By observing it with high spectral resolution in visible light, scientists detected a stream of iron atoms moving from the lower to the upper layers of the planet’s atmosphere.
The team focused on the dayside, where temperatures are much higher. They used the ESPRESSO spectrograph mounted on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), which is known for its stability and high spectral resolution, allowing it to discern exquisitely fine levels of detail in the spectrum of stars.
Using a technique known as high-resolution emission spectroscopy, the team studied the spectrum of visible light, and by analyzing this light, they were able to identify chemical signatures of mobile iron in the planet’s atmosphere.
The successive discoveries made on WASP-76 b pave the way for a better understanding of exoplanet climates, especially in the case of gaseous planets exposed to intense radiation from their host star.
Source: Science Alert
#Astronomers #discover #iron #winds #hellish #planet
2024-09-12 11:29:53
wasp-76b iron rain
Table of Contents
Unveiling the Extreme World of WASP-76b: Scorching Temperatures, Iron Winds, and Metallic Rains
WASP-76b, a scorching hot exoplanet located 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces, has been making headlines since its discovery in 2013. This ultra-hot gas planet boasts daytime temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to vaporize metals [1[1[1[1[1[1[1[1]. Its extremely close orbit around its host star, completing one orbit in just 1.8 Earth days, is the culprit behind these extreme temperatures.
The intense heat vaporizes the iron, which then condenses into a liquid on the cooler night side and falls as iron rain [3[3[3[3[3[3[3[3]. This phenomenon has fascinated scientists, who have been trying to understand the underlying physical mechanisms at work in WASP-76b’s atmosphere.
Recent research has led to a groundbreaking discovery: iron winds are blowing on WASP-76b. A team of astronomers, led by the University of Geneva, detected a stream of iron atoms moving from the lower to the upper layers of the planet’s atmosphere [2[2[2[2[2[2[2[2]. By observing the planet with high spectral resolution in visible light, scientists were able to pinpoint the iron winds on the dayside, where temperatures are much higher.
The discovery of iron winds on WASP-76b is crucial for building 3D models of the planet’s climate. This finding provides valuable insights into the extreme conditions on this exoplanet, which is characterized by a “rainbow” feature on the border between its day and night sides, iron rain falling on its night side, and the presence of barium in the upper atmosphere.
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), equipped with the ESPRESSO spectrograph, played a key role in this discovery. The VLT’s stability and high spectral resolution enabled scientists to detect the iron winds with precision.
WASP-76b’s extreme environment continues to fascinate scientists, offering a unique opportunity to study the fundamental processes that govern the atmospheres of exoplanets. As researchers delve deeper into the mysteries of this scorching world, we can expect new discoveries that will shed light on the intricate workings of extreme exoplanet atmospheres.
Key Takeaways:
WASP-76b is an ultra-hot gas planet with daytime temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit).
The proximity to its host star causes the extreme heat, which vaporizes iron and leads to iron rain.
Scientists have discovered iron winds on WASP-76b, which is crucial for building 3D models of the planet’s climate.
The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the ESPRESSO spectrograph were instrumental in this discovery.
SEO Keywords: WASP-76b, exoplanet, iron winds, metallic rains, extreme temperatures, ultra-hot gas planet, European Southern Observatory, Very Large Telescope, ESPRESSO spectrograph.
wasp-76b iron rain
Unveiling the Extreme World of WASP-76b: Scorching Temperatures, Iron Winds, and Metallic Rains
WASP-76b, a scorching hot exoplanet located 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces, has been making headlines since its discovery in 2013 [1[1]. This ultra-hot gas planet boasts daytime temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to vaporize metals. Its extremely close orbit around its host star, completing one orbit in just 1.8 Earth days, is the culprit behind these extreme temperatures.
The intense heat vaporizes the iron, which then condenses into a liquid on the cooler night side and falls as iron rain [3[3]. This phenomenon has fascinated scientists, who have been trying to understand the underlying physical mechanisms at work in WASP-76b’s atmosphere.
Recent research has led to a groundbreaking discovery: iron winds are blowing on WASP-76b. A team of astronomers, led by the University of Geneva, detected a stream of iron atoms moving from the lower to the upper layers of the planet’s atmosphere [2[2]. By observing the planet with high spectral resolution in visible light, scientists were able to pinpoint the iron winds on the days
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