Astronomers from the University of Arizona used the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-107b, revealing groundbreaking information about its symmetry. The study, published in ‘Nature Astronomy’ was led by graduate student Matthew Murphy from the University of Arizona Steward Observatory.
This discovery is significant because it marks the first time such asymmetry has been observed in an exoplanet using space-based observations.It was detected during the exoplanet’s transit period, when it passed in front of its star. WASP-107b is a hot, inflated planet similar in size to Jupiter but ten times its mass, showcasing east-west asymmetry and offering important insights into its atmospheric characteristics.
Murphy’s team utilised transmission spectroscopy, a technique that analyses the light passing through the planet’s atmosphere, to determine its composition and structure.
All about WASP-107b
WASP-107b is an intriguing exoplanet located 212 lightyears away in the Virgo constellation, orbiting a K-type main sequence star known as WASP-107. Discovered in 2017, this “superpuff” or “cotton candy” planet is notable for its unusually low density and distinct atmospheric characteristics.
It orbits its star extremely closely, completing a full orbit every 5.7 days, which is 16 times closer than Earth’s distance from the Sun. With a mass ten times greater than Jupiter, WASP-107b exhibits significant east-west atmospheric asymmetry due to its tidal locking; one side constantly faces its star while the other remains in perpetual darkness.
Utilising transmission spectroscopy, Murphy’s team leveraged the precision of the James Webb Space Telescope to analyse the light passing through the planet’s atmosphere, successfully differentiating signals from its eastern and western hemispheres and enhancing our understanding of its atmospheric dynamics.
Image source: NASA
Insights into WASP-107b atmospheric asymmetry
The research has provided new insights into the gases, cloud formations, and the varying impacts of sunlight exposure on each side of the planet. WASP-107b is particularly notable for its low density, leading to an inflated atmosphere compared to other exoplanets of similar mass. Despite extreme temperatures reaching 890°F, it occupies a unique position between the planets in our solar system and the hottest exoplanets discovered.
Future research of WASP-107b
Murphy noted that this discovery has opened new doors, revealing that their models didn’t predict such an asymmetry for a planet like this. The researchers plan to continue their observations to further explore the processes driving the atmospheric differences on WASP-107b, enhancing our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.
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