The vastness of space holds countless mysteries, and one of the most intriguing is the possibility of exomoons – moons orbiting planets beyond our solar system. While we know thousands of exoplanets exist, the detection of exomoons has remained elusive due to their diminutive size and faintness. Now, scientists have uncovered compelling evidence for the existence of an exomoon, and it paints a picture of a truly hellish world.
This potential exomoon circles WASP-49 b, a gas giant located over 600 light-years away. WASP-49 b is a close-in planet, orbiting its star so rapidly that a year there lasts only 2.8 Earth days. The evidence for the exomoon comes in the form of a sodium cloud, detected using the Very Large Telescope. This cloud appears to be moving independently of the planet’s atmosphere, suggesting a separate celestial body.
The presence of sodium is strikingly similar to what’s seen at Jupiter’s moon Io, the most volcanically active body in our solar system. Io’s volcanoes spew out massive amounts of material, including sulfur dioxide, sodium, potassium, and other gases, creating enormous clouds that dwarf even Jupiter. Researchers believe the sodium cloud surrounding WASP-49 b could be a telltale sign of a similar volcanic exomoon.
“We think this is a really critical piece of evidence,” said lead researcher Apurva Oza of the California Institute of Technology. “The cloud is moving in the opposite direction that physics tells us it should be going if it were part of the planet’s atmosphere.”
Adding to the evidence is the fact that while both the planet and its star contain small amounts of sodium, the quantity is insufficient to explain the observed cloud size. “The evidence is very compelling that something other than the planet and star are producing this cloud,” said Rosaly Lopes of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “Detecting an exomoon would be quite extraordinary, and because of Io, we know that a volcanic exomoon is possible.”
However, this exomoon’s dramatic volcanic activity might also be its downfall. Io’s volcanic energy is fueled by the intense gravitational forces of Jupiter. However, the exomoon’s violent eruptions suggest it’s under immense gravitational stress, leading researchers to believe it could eventually disintegrate.
“If there really is a moon there, it will have a very destructive ending,” said Oza.
This discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, represents a significant step forward in the quest to understand the diversity of worlds beyond our own solar system. The potential existence of a volcanic exomoon not only offers a glimpse into the extreme environments that might exist in the cosmos but also highlights the intricate interplay of gravity, volcanism, and celestial bodies’ ultimate fate.
While further observations are needed to confirm the exomoon’s existence, this discovery is a testament to the power of scientific observation and the captivating mysteries that lie within the vast expanse of space.