Webb Space Telescope Unveils the Strange Split Personality of WASP-39b
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided a detailed analysis of WASP-39b, a tidally locked exoplanet exhibiting differing atmospheric conditions on its morning and evening…
Atmosphere News
An atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding a planet or celestial body, held in place by gravity. Composed of various gases, the specific makeup of an atmosphere can vary widely from one planet to another. For example, Earth’s atmosphere consists primarily of nitrogen and oxygen, while Venus features thick clouds of sulfuric acid and a carbon dioxide-rich environment, and Mars has a thin atmosphere dominated by carbon dioxide. The atmosphere plays a crucial role in a planet’s climate and weather patterns and can influence surface temperatures through mechanisms like the greenhouse effect. It also protects the surface from radiation and, in some cases, small incoming meteoroids. The study of planetary atmospheres is essential in understanding not only the conditions that support life but also the broader dynamics of planetary systems and their evolution.
Remarkable Webb Telescope Find: Mysterious Dust Clouds on an Alien World
Scientists used the James Webb Telescope to study WASP-43b, finding high-altitude clouds and large temperature differences between its day and night sides. Their findings provide…
Eternal Day and Night: Webb’s Journey To Understand a Distant World’s Bizarre Atmosphere
Near-infrared spectral analysis of terminator confirms differences in morning and evening atmosphere. Since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1992, thousands of planets orbiting stars…
Rotten Egg Revelations: Discovering Hidden Cosmic Chemistry on a Nearby Exoplanet
Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that the exoplanet HD 189733 b, known for its extreme weather, also contains hydrogen sulfide in…
Planetary Boundary Layer Revealed: Satellites Illuminate Atmospheric Mysteries
New research has unraveled the complex dynamics of the planetary boundary layer, enhancing satellite detection of atmospheric pollutants and aiding environmental management and climate modeling…
Ancient Ocean Slowdown Warns of Future Climate Chaos
A new study by the University of California, Riverside shows that historical episodes of extreme heat caused the exchange between surface water and deep ocean…
Unexpected Find: Webb Discovers Mystery Sulfur on Distant Planet
GJ 3470 b is a gas dwarf with unexpected sulfur dioxide in its atmosphere. This discovery provides insights into planet formation and chemical reactions. A…
Phoenix Rises: ‘Weird’ New Planet Defies Expectations
Phoenix, an exoplanet defying usual degradation by its nearby red giant, retains a thick atmosphere, upending assumptions about atmospheric loss and planetary decay in harsh…
Venus’ Evil Twin or Earth’s Long-Lost Sibling? The Intriguing Case of Gliese 12 b
Recent findings of a Venus-like planet, Gliese 12 b, enhance our search for life-supporting planets, providing a closer look at potential “evil twins” of Earth….
Super-Earth Secrets: James Webb Telescope Reveals Unexpected Exoplanet Atmosphere
Recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope have shed light on the enigmatic super-Earth 55 Cancri e, revealing its likely atmosphere composed of gases…
Decoding the Red Planet’s Structure: Insights From Martian Meteorites
Research on Martian meteorites reveals unique geological insights into Mars’ crust and mantle, aiding our understanding of the planet’s volcanic and atmospheric history. Mars has…
How TESS’s Newest Discovery Could Change Our Search for Alien Worlds
Astronomers using NASA’s TESS and other facilities have discovered a planet between the sizes of Earth and Venus, only 40 light-years away, named Gliese 12…
Webb Telescope’s Breakthrough: First Atmospheric Discovery on a Rocky Super-Earth
Gas bubbling up from a lava-covered surface on the exoplanet 55 Cancri e may feed an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. Located…
“Exo-Venus” Discovered: A Potentially Habitable World Just 40 Light-Years From Earth
Scientists have discovered Gliese 12 b, an exoplanet similar in size to Venus and only 40 light-years away, with investigations ongoing to determine its atmosphere…
Super-Earth Surprise: Webb Finds Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet For the First Time
Gas bubbling up from a lava-covered surface on 55 Cancri e may feed an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. These days, detecting…
From Inferno to Rainbow: Discovering WASP-76b’s Atmospheric Marvel
For the first time, potential signs of the rainbow-like ‘glory effect’ have been detected on a planet outside our Solar System. Glory are colorful concentric…
Fiery 5,000 MPH Winds: Webb Maps Weather on Extreme Exoplanet WASP-43 b
WASP-43 b is cloudy on the nightside and clear on the dayside, with equatorial winds howling around the planet at 5,000 miles per hour. Sometimes…
4.5 Billion Years of Volcanism on Jupiter’s Moon Io Revealed by Atmospheric Isotopes
Research using isotopic analysis of Io’s atmosphere suggests the moon has been volcanically active since the Solar System’s formation, influenced by tidal forces from Jupiter…