Tag

Exoplanet

All articles tagged with #exoplanet

science6 days ago•5 min saved

Haze Cloaks Kepler-51d, Complicating Its Atmosphere Study

New JWST observations of the low-density exoplanet Kepler-51d reveal an unusually thick haze that absorbs light and masks its atmospheric composition, leaving scientists puzzled about its formation and forcing them to consider whether rings or a unique haze layer explain the transit data; the planet, part of the Kepler-51 system known for three other super-puffs, may have formed farther from its star before migrating inward, challenging existing planetary-formation models.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#atmospheric-haze #exoplanet #james-webb-space-telescope

astronomy15 days ago•4 min saved

Molten, sulfur-rich exoplanet forces rethink of planet types

Astronomers report the discovery of L 98-59 d, a distant exoplanet with a global magma ocean and a dense sulfur-rich atmosphere, whose extreme geology challenges current planetary classifications and suggests more diverse worlds await discovery as next-generation telescopes come online.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#astronomy #exoplanet #l-98-59-d

science20 days ago•4 min saved

Earth-sized exoplanet candidate HD 137010 b hints at habitable potential, awaiting confirmation

Astronomers using Kepler/K2 found HD 137010 b, an Earth-sized planet candidate around a bright star about 146 light-years away; the single observed transit hints at a year-long orbit in or near the habitable zone, but confirmation requires additional observations, such as radial-velocity measurements, with future facilities like NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory to determine its mass and atmosphere.

via BBC Sky at Night Magazine|

#exoplanet #habitable-zone #hd137010b

science1 month ago•17 min saved

Enaiposha defies planetary labels with a hazy, Venus-like atmosphere

Using JWST data, Enaiposha (GJ 1214 b)—a planet about 47 light-years away—emerges as a hazy, Venus-like world that defies its sub-Neptune classification. Its thick, cloud-laden atmosphere may host molecules like water vapor, carbon dioxide and metals, suggesting a metal-rich, hot atmosphere unlike anything in our solar system; the hazes make atmospheric analysis difficult but provide a new lens on thick-atmosphere evolution. Although not habitable, Enaiposha could help scientists reinterpret planetary types and refine models for other exoplanets.

via Earth.com|

#atmosphere #enaiposha #exoplanet

space2 months ago•4 min saved

Nearby Calm Star GJ 887 Hosts a Potential Life-Supporting World

Nearby star GJ 887, only 10.7 light-years away, is unusually quiet and hosts GJ 887 d, a super-Earth with at least 6.1 Earth masses in its habitable zone, on a 50.7-day orbit; detected via radial velocity, its calm activity makes habitability prospects more favorable, though atmospheric characterization is challenging since it does not transit, requiring future telescopes like Habitable Worlds Observatory to probe its atmosphere.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#exoplanet #gj-887 #gj-887-d

space2 months ago•5 min saved

Molten-Ocean Exoplanet Defies Classification at 2,700°F

Scientists identify L 98–59 d as a 2,700°F lava world about 35 light-years away, likely with a magma ocean and sulfur-rich atmosphere, challenging simple planet classifications and offering clues about rocky planet formation—though it’s not life-hosting.

via New York Post|

#exoplanet #l-98-59-d #lava-planet

space2 months ago•5 min saved

Sulfur-Scented Exoplanet Redefines Planet Types

Scientists using JWST have identified L 98-59 d, a 1.6× Earth-radius exoplanet 35 light-years away with a global magma ocean that stores sulfur, producing a sulfur-rich atmosphere including hydrogen sulfide; its low density and molten interior challenge existing small-planet categories. Computer models trace its five-billion-year evolution from a volatile-rich world that cooled and shrank while preserving sulfur, implying more exotic planet types exist—though the planet is unlikely to host life.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#exoplanet #l-98-59-d #magma-ocean

astronomy2 months ago•2 min saved

Lava-World Exoplanet Points to a New Class of Planets

New JWST observations and simulations identify L98-59d as a 1.6 Earth-radius exoplanet with a global magma ocean, a molten core, surface temperatures near 1900°C, and a hydrogen-sulfide atmosphere shaped by strong tidal forces; this suggests molten planets may be more common than thought and that some planets in the habitable zone might not be habitable after all.

via The Guardian|

#astronomy #exoplanet #james-webb-telescope

astronomy2 months ago•4 min saved

New Benchmark Earth-Sized World Around a Nearby M-Dwarf Promises Atmospheric Insights

A nearby mid-M-dwarf hosts TOI-4616 b, an Earth-sized planet (1.22 Earth radii) with a 1.55-day orbit and an equilibrium temperature around 525 K, making it a key benchmark for studying atmospheres and atmospheric loss in strongly irradiated rocky worlds around M-dwarfs; its well-documented history and extensive transit follow-up make it a prime target for comparative atmospheric studies, potentially with JWST.

via Universe Today|

#astronomy #atmospheric-escape #benchmark

astronomy3 months ago•6 min saved

Distant Star Hosts a Nearly Five-Jupiter-Mass Gas Giant in a 180-Day Orbit

Astronomers using NASA's TESS have discovered TIC-65910228 b, a gas giant with about 4.8 Jupiter masses and a radius near 1.08 Jupiter radii, orbiting a metal-rich sun-like star 864 light-years away. The planet completes an ~180.5-day orbit at ~0.7 AU, placing it in the warm-Jupiter regime. Follow-up with NGTS, HARPS, and CORALIE confirmed the transit and radial-velocity signals, while atmospheric studies remain challenging but possible with next-generation telescopes. The system may also host moons or rings, making TIC-65910228 b a compelling target for future exploration.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#astronomy #exomoons #exoplanet

science3 months ago•16 min saved

Enaiposha: a Venus-like exoplanet that challenges planetary categories

Astronomers using JWST data on Enaiposha (GJ 1214 b), a star‑hopping exoplanet about 47 light-years away, find a thick, hazy atmosphere that makes it more Venus‑like than the previously assumed mini‑Neptune. Early spectral hints point to carbon dioxide, water vapor, and metals, signaling a possible new sub‑type of exoplanet and highlighting how hazes can obscure atmospheric chemistry—though Enaiposha itself is likely too hot to be habitable.

via Earth.com|

#enaiposha #exoplanet #gj-1214-b

space3 months ago•7 min saved

Webb Unmasks a New Class: The GJ 1214 b ‘Super Venus’

NASA’s JWST pierced the long-standing haze of exoplanet GJ 1214 b (about 47 light-years away) to detect carbon dioxide and methane in its thick atmosphere, suggesting a high-metallicity, greenhouse-like environment. This challenges the absence of such sub-Neptunes in our solar system and has led to a proposed new class, the “super Venus.” Further observations are needed to confirm the atmospheric structure and chemistry, but the finding marks a milestone in characterizing hazy exoplanets.

via Indian Defence Review|

#exoplanet #gj-1214-b #jwst

space3 months ago•34 min saved

Nearby Earth-Sized World HD 137010 b Sparks Habitability Debate

Astronomers using Kepler data have identified an Earth-sized exoplanet, HD 137010 b, orbiting a Sun-like–type star about 150 light-years away, with an orbital period of roughly 355 days. The host star is a cooler K-type orange dwarf, meaning the planet may receive less than a third of Earth’s sunlight and could be very cold (below −90°F), though a CO2-rich atmosphere might help trap heat and allow a temperate, potentially watery climate. The candidate was inferred from a single transit in 2017, and follow-up observations (multiple transits) are needed to confirm its habitability and true nature.

via Yahoo|

#exoplanet #habitable-zone #hd-137010-b

space3 months ago•2 min saved

Nearby Earth-Sized Exoplanet HD 137010 b Sparks Habitability Debate

Astronomers analyzing Kepler data have identified HD 137010 b, a rocky, Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting a nearby K-type orange-dwarf star about 150 light-years away, with a 355-day year. Its Earth-like size and orbit make it a compelling habitability candidate, potentially aided by a CO2-rich atmosphere, but the planet’s temperature is expected to be very cold and only a single transit was observed. Follow-up observations—ideally three transits—are needed to confirm its existence and assess habitability, especially given potential tidal locking around cooler stars.

via Futurism|

#exoplanet #habitable-zone #hd-137010-b

space3 months ago•79 min saved

Distant 'cold Earth' candidate HD 137010b teeters on the edge of its star's habitable zone

Astronomers analyzing Kepler/K2 data have identified a possible rocky exoplanet, HD 137010b, orbiting a K-type dwarf about 146 light-years away. It is expected to be about 1.06 times the diameter of Earth and complete an orbit roughly every 355 days, receiving around 29% of the Sun-like energy Earth gets. This places it at the outer edge of the star’s habitable zone, meaning its surface could be frozen unless it has a thick atmosphere. Only one transit has been observed, so the planet’s existence and exact conditions remain unconfirmed, but future observations by missions such as CHEOPS, TESS, PLATO, and JWST could help determine its reality and assess any atmosphere. The discovery paper notes a 40% chance of being in the conservative HZ, a 51% chance in the optimistic HZ, and a 50/50 chance of not being in the HZ at all.

via Space|

#exoplanet #habitable-zone #hd-137010b