The James Webb Space Telescope has provided valuable insights into exoplanet 55 Cancri e, revealing the potential existence of an atmosphere around a rocky planet located outside our solar system. Despite the planet’s extreme conditions, characterized by a surface akin to a bubbling ocean of magma due to its close proximity to its sun-like star, scientists have long pondered the possibility of an atmosphere. Employing Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), researchers have detected indications of a volatile-rich atmosphere, suggesting the presence of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. Furthermore, observations indicate that the planet’s dayside is cooler than anticipated, hinting at heat transfer to the cooler nightside, potentially facilitated by an atmosphere. The research team hypothesizes that the atmosphere may have originated from gases emanating from within the planet, as extreme temperatures could have potentially stripped away any preexisting gases during the planet’s formation. The findings, published in the journal Nature, mark a significant step in understanding the characteristics and atmospheres of exoplanets beyond our solar system.
James Webb Telescope Reveals Atmosphere Around Exoplanet 55 Cancri e
