What the super-Earth with an atmosphere discovered by the James Webb Telescope looks like and why it could mean a revolution in space

he Space telescope James Webb (JWST) He made a crucial discovery for understanding Rocky planets Outside the solar system. A team of scientists has found evidence that the planet 55 Cancre Elocated 41 light years away. landit could have a secondary atmosphere. This discovery could bring the search for life a step closer. off planet.

results Studyingled by Renew is The follower Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) The follower a potpublished in nature.

Planet 55 Cancri e, a super-Earth planet orbiting the star Copernicus In a constellation canceris very different from planet Earth. Its mass is 8.08 times greater than Earth’s, and its surface could cover an ocean 8.08 times larger. magma Because of its proximity to its star, which is even less than the distance between them. Mercury and the Sun.

Its orbital period is extremely short, completing one revolution around its star in just 18 hours. Because of this proximity, the planet does not rotate on its axis, resulting in one hemisphere permanently illuminated and the other half bathed in darkness. Despite sharing some characteristics with Earth, its extreme temperatures and surface conditions make it habitable.

the Determining the atmosphere of a rocky exoplanet It is a great progress in astronomy“This is the best evidence yet for the presence of an atmosphere on a rocky planet outside our solar system,” the researchers say. University of Bern In a statement.

the Secondary atmosphere What this planet might be suggests, though, is that it is so high. radiation And extreme temperatures, there could still be complex weather conditions .

This type of atmosphere, which is formed by volcanic activity rather than by the initial accumulation of gases, is essential to understanding how gases work and evolve. Rocky planets“55 Cancri e is one of the most mysterious exoplanets,” he declared. Bryce Olivier Demoryco-author of the study and professor of astrophysics at the University of Bern.

he James Webb Space Telescope Thanks to its advanced technology, it has allowed scientists to obtain detailed data from the planet 55 Cancri e. Using Nercam (near infrared camera) and Mary (Mid-Infrared Instrument), the team measured infrared light Coming from the planet.

By comparing the brightness of starlight when the planet was at different positions relative to its star, they were able to measure the amount of light infrared light On the day side of the planet at different wavelengths. Initially, the surface temperature was expected to be approximately 2200°CBut the results showed a significant decrease in temperature around it. 1500 degrees Celsius.

The supposed atmosphere will absorb some of the Infrared He explained that it came from a magma ocean, which prevents it from being captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, and for this reason it appears to have a lower temperature.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an international collaboration between NASA and the US space agency NASA. European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA)It is the most advanced space telescope ever built. Its main mission is to explore First galaxies Formed after Big Bang Of course, look for conditions that can support life forms.

he James Webb Space Telescope Works with infrared technologyAllowing you to see through clouds of dust and gases that optical telescopes cannot penetrate. They are equipped with multiple instruments, such as: Nercam, Which detects infrared light at the closest range, and MaryWhich measures the longest wavelengths of infrared radiation.

These instruments work in perfect harmony to provide a detailed view of the universe, making it possible to map and study the universe. outer planets like 55 Cancri E. Among its many capabilities, the James Webb Space Telescope can measure brightness difference Imaging stars with unprecedented resolution, which is essential for observing and studying planets. Atmosphere .