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TRAPPIST-1b, the system's innermost planet, may have a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, according to research published in Nature Astronomy on December 16. The TRAPPIST-1 system, which is 40 light-years away from Earth and contains seven Earth-sized exoplanets, has piqued scientists' interest since its discovery in 2017. Previous research revealed that the planets lacked atmospheres owing to high star radiation. However, new evidence from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggests that TRAPPIST-1b may have a hazy, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.
Findings about Atmospheric Composition
According to sources, the study highlights new measurements made at 12.8 micrometres, which provide indications of a reflecting haze in TRAPPIST-1b's upper atmosphere. Researchers believe that this haze may lead top layers to release radiation rather than absorb it, defying earlier notions. Leen Decin, co-author of the paper and a researcher at KU Leuven in Belgium, told KU Leuven News that the two data points for TRAPPIST-1b allow them to investigate several possibilities for its atmosphere, whether it exists or not.
Volcanism and Surface Conditions
The study also found increased surface temperatures, which might imply volcanic activity. Similar dynamics have been seen on Saturn's moon Titan. According to Michiel Min of the SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, who participated to the study, TRAPPIST-1b's atmospheric chemistry is expected to be unlike anything found on Titan or elsewhere in the solar system.
Ongoing studies
The team intends to investigate heat dispersion throughout the planet's surface to determine whether an atmosphere exists. Michaël Gillon, an astronomer at the University of Liège, spearheaded the discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 system. He stated to Nature Astronomy that an atmosphere would enable heat redistribution from the day to night side of the planet. Without it, heat transmission would be limited.
According to scientists, these results might redefine our knowledge of the atmospheres of exoplanets around red dwarf stars.
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