JWST Unmasks a Pink Exoplanet With Salty Clouds

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers study the cold planetary-mass companion GJ504b and find a pink-hued atmosphere likely shaped by salty clouds (potentially potassium chloride or zinc sulfide) and a complex mix of gases. The spectral analysis suggests the object is more planet-like than a brown dwarf, marking a milestone in understanding dim, chilly worlds and highlighting clouds’ crucial role in interpreting their spectra.