Tag

Sub Neptunes

All articles tagged with #sub neptunes

space26 days ago•11 min saved

Galaxy's Most Common Planets Have No Counterpart in Our Solar System

In about 30 years, scientists have confirmed over 6,000 exoplanets, revealing that the galaxy’s most common types are super-Earths and sub-Neptunes (roughly 1.5–4 Earth radii), a class absent from our Solar System. Early detections were biased toward large, hot planets detected via transits, while smaller, temperate rocky worlds remain hard to detect. The finding reshapes our understanding of planetary formation, and next-gen missions like JWST and the Roman Space Telescope aim to characterize atmospheres of accessible worlds and push toward identifying a truly Earth-like planet.

via Space Daily|

#exoplanets #radius-valley #space

space1 month ago•12 min saved

Sub-Neptunes Could Forge Oceans from Within

A Nature study shows that many planets called sub-Neptunes can synthesize their own water deep inside, by hydrogen in their thick atmospheres reacting with molten rock to produce H2O. If common, this could make water much more widespread in the galaxy and not just delivered by comets or asteroids. However, the water forms interiorly and may not always become a surface ocean, and these results are experimental/theoretical, requiring integration into formation models and observational tests to assess implications for habitability.

via Space Daily|

#exoplanets #magma-ocean #planetary-chemistry

science2 months ago•3 min saved

Sub-Neptune Atmospheres as PAH-Rich Soot Factories Revealed by JWST

A new study using computer models suggests that the upper atmospheres of sub-Neptune exoplanets can host abundant PAHs, effectively acting as 'soot factories' with PAH production peaking near 600 K and depending on carbon‑to‑oxygen ratios and metallicity. GJ 1214 b emerges as the most promising candidate, and data from JWST and Hubble on several nearby planets could enable direct observations of these soot-rich atmospheres, marking an interdisciplinary, chemical‑engineering approach to exoplanet science.

via Universe Today|

#atmospheres #exoplanets #jwst

science2 months ago•14 min saved

Could Earth's Water Have Formed Here Itself? A Fresh Take on Ocean Origins

Scientists are re-evaluating Earth's water origins: comet and asteroid theories are challenged by mismatched deuterium signatures, while experiments on hydrogen reacting with melted rock under high pressure suggest a planet’s own magma ocean could generate vast amounts of water, implying Earth might have formed much of its oceans internally—though the reality may involve a mix of sources and remains unsettled.

via Quanta Magazine|

#comets-vs-asteroids #earths-oceans #origin-of-water

science9 months ago•2 min saved

New Insights into Water Formation on Exoplanets and Its Implications for Habitability

A new study suggests that water can naturally form during planet formation through rock-gas interactions, potentially increasing the likelihood of habitable worlds in the universe, as water may be more common than previously thought.

via Space|

#exoplanets #habitability #planet-formation

science10 months ago•4 min saved

Scientists Discover Planets Can Generate Their Own Water

Scientists have discovered that water-rich exoplanets, especially sub-Neptunes close to their stars, can produce their own water through high-pressure reactions between silicate melts and hydrogen in their atmospheres, challenging previous theories about their formation and composition.

via Phys.org|

#exoplanets #high-pressure-reactions #planetary-geology

astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

Synchronized Orbit: Rare Discovery of Six Planets in Mathematical Harmony

Astronomers have discovered six sub-Neptune planets in synchronized orbits around a star, offering insights into these mysterious planets that are absent from our solar system. The planets, ranging from 1.9 to 2.9 times Earth's diameter, have remained in orbital resonance since their formation about 4 billion years ago, indicating no chaotic events have perturbed their orbits. Scientists hope that studying these sub-Neptunes, which possess large atmospheres, will shed light on their composition and nature. The James Webb Space Telescope is expected to provide further insights into these planets and their potential habitability.

via KSL.com|

#astronomy #exoplanets #james-webb-space-telescope

astronomy2 years ago•2 min saved

"Resonant Orbits: A Perfectly Harmonious Solar System with Six Sub-Neptunes Discovered"

A team of researchers has discovered a unique planetary system orbiting the star HD110067, consisting of six sub-Neptune planets that are all in direct resonance with each other. The discovery was made using data from NASA's TESS and ESA's Cheops satellites. This system provides valuable insights into planetary formation and system evolution, as well as the potential for studying the atmospheric composition of sub-Neptunes. It is also a promising target for future observations using the James Webb Space Telescope.

via Universe Today|

#astronomy #cheops #planetary-system

astronomy2 years ago•4 min saved

"Perfectly Synced: Astronomers Uncover a Six-Planet Solar System in the Milky Way"

Astronomers have discovered a system of six planets orbiting a nearby sun-like star, HD 110067, which are locked into a rare resonance with one another. These sub-Neptune planets, larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, provide insights into planet formation and evolution. The stable, predictable orbital pattern suggests that the planets have remained undisturbed for billions of years. While not suitable for life, the system offers valuable opportunities for studying planet atmospheres. The discovery raises questions about why our own solar system lacks sub-Neptune planets, and further investigation will be conducted using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

via The Washington Post|

#astronomy #exoplanets #hd-110067

science-and-technology2 years ago•4 min saved

"Harmony in the Cosmos: A Perfectly Synced Solar System Discovered"

Researchers have discovered a "perfect solar system" located 100 light years away, consisting of six planets that are all about the same size and have remained undisturbed since their formation up to 12 billion years ago. This system provides an ideal opportunity to study how planets are created and whether they can support life. The planets' synchronized orbits and near-identical size make it easier for astronomers to compare and contrast them, helping to build a better understanding of planetary formation and evolution. The discovery of this system also increases the chances of detecting signs of life on other worlds in the near future.

via BBC.com|

#alien-life #biosignatures #planetary-formation

astronomy2 years ago•50 min saved

Astronomers find a perfectly synchronized sextuplet of planets orbiting a nearby star

The TESS and CHEOPS missions have observed a resonant sextuplet of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright star HD 110067. The data from these observations, as well as ground-based photometry and high-resolution imaging, are publicly available. The study utilized various codes and resources for data reduction and analysis. This discovery adds to the growing body of knowledge about planetary systems and their dynamics.

via Nature.com|

#astronomy #cheops-observations #hd-110067

science-and-astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

Unraveling the Mystery: NASA's Findings on Shrinking Exoplanets

Astronomers have discovered that some exoplanets are losing their atmospheres, causing them to shrink. This phenomenon, known as "core-powered mass loss," occurs when radiation from the planet's hot core pushes away its atmosphere from within. This process can transform a puffy, sub-Neptune planet into a rocky super-Earth. The findings explain why there are few exoplanets with sizes between a super-Earth and sub-Neptune. The study analyzed exoplanet data collected by NASA's Kepler 2 mission and suggests that core-powered mass loss is the likely reason behind atmospheric escape on these planets.

via Space.com|

#astronomers #atmospheres #core-powered-mass-loss