They directly observe the composition of the atmosphere of two planets outside the solar system
The James Webb Telescope detects silicate clouds in a planetary system, which may shed light on the formation of exoplanets.
GenevaNASA astronomers have directly observed silicate clouds in the atmosphere of an exoplanet known as YSES-1 c for the first time. The data were collected by the James Webb Space Telescope, which also revealed the presence of silicates originating from the circumplanetary disk orbiting a second planet in the same system, YSES-1 b. The results, published this Tuesday in the journal Nature, represent a significant advance in the direct observation of the composition of the atmosphere of exoplanets, as well as the processes that take place in them.
Scientists had already identified the interest of the YSES-1 planetary system due to the unique characteristics of its atmospheres and ended up discovering the presence of silicates. Rich in oxygen and silicon, silicates are one of the main minerals on Earth and the Moon, as well as other rocky objects in the Solar System. Their presence is a fundamental indicator of the planet formation process as well as the presence of oxygen.
The star of the planetary system studied is a star with a mass similar to that of the Sun, although it is much cooler and younger. Orbiting it at great distance are two giant planets, YSES-1 and YSES-1 c, with masses of about fourteen and six times that of Jupiter, respectively. Observing the composition of young planets, such as YSES-1 and YSES-1 c, allows us to understand the relationship between the formation of giant planets and their corresponding atmospheric evolution.
However, until now, the direct detection of these types of characteristics was not possible. Thanks to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, another window has opened for detailed observation of the universe and the formation of planetary systems like YSES-1.
Understanding the presence of oxygen
The distance that separates us from these exoplanets makes it impossible to detect their characteristics with the naked eye. Spectroscopy techniques are used to observe the details. This means that, by analyzing the light coming from the planet in question, we can examine the materials that make up the exoplanet's atmosphere. This way, we can identify several chemical compounds, including carbon monoxide and dioxide, as well as the presence of water.
Identifying these compounds and the structure of the atmosphere is essential to understanding the presence of oxygen. The latest analyses carried out by NASA astronomers reveal the atmospheric characteristics of the planetary system and help us better understand the physical processes taking place. Furthermore, the identification of an accretion disk around YSES-1 b indicates that it is a planet still in the process of formation, making its study even more attractive.
Using the James Webb Telescope and other precision spectroscopy techniques, astronomers will continue to study the properties of atmospheres in detail to better understand the environmental and meteorological conditions on other planets.
