Webb Observations Reveal TOI-5205b: A Carbon-Rich, Oxygen-Poor Atmosphere of a Giant Exoplanet

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have utilized the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope to analyze the atmosphere of TOI-5205b, an extrasolar gas giant orbiting a dim red dwarf star. These groundbreaking observations reveal that the atmosphere is surprisingly deficient in heavy elements, raising intriguing questions regarding the formation and evolution of such “forbidden” alien worlds.

The Jupiter-sized planet TOI-5205b has a surface temperature of 737 K and orbits at a distance of 0.02 astronomical units from its parent star, TOI-5205. Image credit: Sci.News.

TOI-5205b is a short-period gas giant with only 1.03 times the radius and 1.08 times the mass of Jupiter, completing its orbit in just 1.63 days.

Discovered in 2022, this planet orbits the TOI-5205, an M4-type star with approximately 39% of the Sun’s size and mass.

The system, also known as TIC 419411415, is located about 283 light-years away in the constellation Vorissa.

“Short-period Jupiter-mass planets are among the first exoplanets found around Sun-like main-sequence stars, yet their formation processes are still not fully understood,” explained Dr. Caleb Cañas from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

“The increasing number of short-period giant exoplanets around M dwarfs adds further complexity to gas giant planet formation theories.”

“These worlds are challenging to form through nuclear accretion due to the low disk masses and longer orbital time scales of M dwarfs, which hinder the efficient creation of massive planetary cores necessary for runaway gas accretion.”

“These planets exemplify an extreme formation regime for mid-to-late M-type dwarfs since the significant planet-to-star mass ratio demands a core mass exceeding the estimated dust mass of the protoplanetary disk.”

Astronomers used Webb’s NIRSpec to observe three separate transits of TOI-5205b.

To their surprise, they discovered that the concentration of heavy elements in the planet’s atmosphere, relative to hydrogen, is lower than found in the gas giants of our solar system, including Jupiter. Remarkably, it is even less metallic than its host star.

This finding sets TOI-5205b apart from all other studied giant planets.

Furthermore, the observations revealed the presence of methane and hydrogen sulfide in the planet’s atmosphere, corroborating previous findings.

To better understand their results, the researchers employed an advanced model of the planet’s interior, predicting that TOI-5205b’s overall composition is about 100 times richer in metals than its atmosphere.

“We observed a significantly lower metallicity than what models predicted for the planet’s bulk composition, based on measurements of its mass and radius,” noted Dr. Shubham Kanodia of Carnegie Science.

“This suggests that heavy elements migrated to the interior during formation, indicating that the interior and atmosphere are not currently mixing.”

“In essence, our findings imply that the planet’s atmosphere is notably carbon-rich and oxygen-poor.”

For more information on these findings, check out the latest publication in Astronomy Magazine.

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Caleb I. Cañas et al. 2026. GEMS JWST: TOI-5205b’s transmission spectroscopy reveals significant contamination of the star and a metal-poor atmosphere. A.J. 171, 260; doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/ae4976

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Telescope Uncovers Hidden Layers of Uranus’ Upper Atmosphere

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers have successfully mapped the vertical structure of Uranus’ ionosphere for the very first time, uncovering unexpected temperature peaks, a decline in ion density, and enigmatic dark regions influenced by the planet’s unique magnetic field. These groundbreaking findings, achieved through nearly a full day of observations using the NIRSpec instrument aboard NASA/ESA/CSA’s James Webb Space Telescope, confirm a decades-long cooling trend in Uranus’ upper atmosphere and offer an unprecedented look at how this ice giant interacts with its surrounding space differently than other celestial bodies in our solar system.

Tiranti et al. mapped the vertical structure of Uranus’s upper atmosphere, revealing variations in temperature and charged particles across different heights. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Webb / STScI / P. Tiranti / H. Melin / M. Zamani, ESA & Webb.

Uranus’s upper atmosphere remains one of the least understood components in our solar system, despite its critical role in elucidating the interactions between the giant planet and its space environment.

Astronomer Paola Tiranti from Northumbria University and her team dedicated nearly an entire day to observing Uranus with Webb’s NIRSpec instrument.

They successfully measured the vertical structure of the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of the atmosphere where auroras occur.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to visualize Uranus’s upper atmosphere in three dimensions,” Tiranti remarked.

“Utilizing Webb’s sensitivity, we can investigate how energy migrates upward through the planet’s atmosphere, even observing the effects of polarized magnetic fields.”

Measurements revealed temperature peaks at approximately 3,000 to 4,000 km above the surface, while ion density peaked around 1,000 km, significantly weaker than previously modeled predictions.

Webb also identified two bright bands of auroral emission located near Uranus’s magnetic poles, along with an unexpected area of depleted emission and density, likely tied to the planet’s unusual magnetic field geometry.

These discoveries confirm a long-term cooling trend in Uranus’ upper atmosphere and highlight new structures shaped by its magnetic environment.

These findings offer critical benchmarks for future missions and enhance our comprehension of how giant planets—both within and beyond our solar system—maintain the energy balance in their upper atmospheres.

“Uranus’ magnetosphere is one of the most peculiar in the solar system,” Tiranti emphasized.

“Its tilt and offset from the planet’s rotational axis cause its auroras to be distributed in a complex fashion across the surface.”

“Webb has provided insights into how deeply these effects penetrate into the atmosphere.”

“By detailing Uranus’s vertical structure so thoroughly, Webb aids in our understanding of the energy balance of the ice giant.”

“This represents a significant step toward characterizing giant planets beyond our solar system.”

For further details, refer to the results published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

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Paola I. Tiranti et al. 2026. JWST uncovers the vertical structure of Uranus’ ionosphere. Geophysical Research Letters 53 (4): e2025GL119304; doi: 10.1029/2025GL119304

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Discovers Unique Helium and Carbon-Rich Atmosphere on Exoplanet Orbiting Pulsar

Posted on December 17, 2025 by

PSR J2322-2650b, an enigmatic Jupiter-mass exoplanet orbiting the millisecond pulsar PSR J2322-2650, exhibits an unusual atmosphere primarily composed of helium and carbon, presenting a new phenomenon never observed before.

Artist’s concept of PSR J2322-2650b. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Ralf Crawford, STScI.

“This discovery was completely unexpected,” stated Dr. Peter Gao, an astronomer at the Carnegie Earth and Planetary Institute.

“After analyzing the data, our immediate reaction was, ‘What on Earth is this?’ It contradicted all our expectations.”

“This system is fascinating because we can see the planet lit by its star, yet the star itself is invisible,” explained Dr. Maya Bereznay, a candidate at Stanford University.

“This allows us to capture exceptionally clear spectra, enabling us to study the system in a much more detailed way than we typically do with other exoplanets.”

“This planet orbits a truly unique star—it’s as massive as the sun but as compact as a city,” remarked Dr. Michael Chan from the University of Chicago.

“This represents a new kind of planetary atmosphere never before observed. Instead of the typical molecules like water, methane, and carbon dioxide, we detected carbon molecules, particularly C.₃ and C₂.”

Molecular carbon is exceedingly rare; at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius, carbon typically bonds with other atoms in the atmosphere.

Out of around 150 planets studied both within and beyond our solar system, none have showcased detectable molecular carbon.

“Did this form as a typical planet? Certainly not, due to its starkly different composition,” Dr. Zhang stated.

“Could it have been created by stripping the outer layers of a star, like what happens in a conventional black widow system? Likely not, as nuclear processes do not yield pure carbon.”

“Envisioning how this drastically carbon-rich composition came to be is quite challenging. All known formation theories seem to be excluded.”

The authors suggest an intriguing phenomenon that might occur in such a unique atmosphere.

“As the companion star cools, the carbon and oxygen mixture within begins to crystallize,” explained Roger Romani, an astronomer at Stanford University and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology.

“What we observed was pure carbon crystals rising to the surface and blending with the helium.”

“Yet, there must be a mechanism to prevent the oxygen and nitrogen from mixing in. This is where the mystery deepens.”

“However, it’s intriguing not to have all the answers. I’m eager to uncover more about the peculiarities of this atmosphere. Solving these enigmas will be remarkable.”

For more information, refer to the paper published in Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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michael chan et al. 2025. The carbon-rich atmosphere of a windy pulsar planet. APJL 995, L64; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae157c

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Identifies Dense Atmosphere of Ultra-Hot Super-Earth TOI-561b

Posted on December 12, 2025 by

Recent findings from the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope indicate that TOI-561b is enveloped by a dense gas blanket above its global magma ocean.

This artist’s concept illustrates TOI-561b and its stars. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/Ralf Crawford, STScI.

TOI-561 is a luminous star located 280.5 light-years away in the constellation Sextant.

This star is approximately 10 billion years old and has about 80% of the Sun’s mass and size.

It is also known as TYC 243-1528-1 and belongs to a rare category of stars known as the galaxy’s thick disk stars.

TOI-561 hosts at least three exoplanets (TOI-561b, c, and d) and is among the oldest and most metal-poor planetary systems discovered in the Milky Way.

The inner planet, TOI-561b, is classified as a super-Earth with an orbital period of just 0.44 days.

Its mass and radius are 3.2 and 1.45 times that of Earth, with a density of 5.5 g/cm³, consistent with its rocky composition.

“What distinguishes this planet is its notably low density,” remarked Dr. Johanna Teske, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

“It is not significantly bloated, yet it is less dense than would be expected for an Earth-like composition.”

One potential reason for the low density, astronomers suggest, is that it may possess a relatively small iron core and a mantle composed of less dense rock compared to Earth’s.

“TOI-561b is exceptional among ultrashort-period planets as it orbits a substantially older (twice the age of the Sun), iron-poor star within the thick disk region of the Milky Way,” Teske added.

“It likely formed under a vastly different chemical environment than the planets in our solar system.”

Researchers also posit that TOI-561b is encircled by a thick atmosphere, possibly giving it an apparent size larger than its actual one.

Although small planets subjected to intense stellar radiation for billions of years are not anticipated to possess atmospheres, some are exhibiting characteristics beyond mere rocky surfaces or lava.

To investigate the possibility of TOI-561b having an atmosphere, they employed: Webb’s NIRSpec (near infrared spectrometer). This device measures the planet’s daytime temperature through near-infrared brightness.

The technique tracks the decrease in brightness of the star-planet system as the planet transits behind its star, similar to methods used for detecting atmospheres of rocky worlds like the TRAPPIST-1 system.

If TOI-561b were devoid of an atmosphere and comprised entirely of bare rock, daytime temperatures would approach 2,700 degrees Celsius (4,900 degrees Fahrenheit).

However, NIRSpec observations indicate that the planet’s dayside temperature is closer to 1,800 degrees Celsius (3,200 degrees Fahrenheit), indicating it remains extremely hot, but considerably cooler than anticipated.

Emission spectra captured by Webb in May 2024 illustrate the brightness of different wavelengths of near-infrared radiation emitted by the exoplanet TOI-561b. Image credits: NASA / ESA / CSA / Ralf Crawford, STScI / Johanna Teske, Carnegie Institute for Science, Earth and Planets / Anjali Piette, University of Birmingham / Tim Lichtenberg, Groningen / Nicole Wallack, Carnegie Institute for Science, Earth and Planets.

To interpret these findings, the researchers evaluated multiple scenarios.

A magma ocean could redistribute some heat; however, without an atmosphere, the night side is likely solid, limiting heat transfer from the day side.

There may be a thin layer of rock vapor above the magma ocean’s surface, but this alone could cause less significant cooling than observed.

Dr. Anjali Piette, an astronomer at the University of Birmingham, stated, “We truly require a thick atmosphere rich in volatiles to account for all observations.”

“Strong winds could transport heat to the night side while cooling the day side.”

“Gases such as water vapor absorb some wavelengths of near-infrared radiation emitted from the planet’s surface before reaching the atmosphere.”

“Bright silicate clouds might also reflect starlight and cool the atmosphere.”

Although Webb’s findings provide compelling evidence of an atmosphere, the question persists: How can such a small planet exposed to intense radiation maintain an atmosphere, especially one of such significance? Some gas is likely escaping into space, but possibly at a lower rate than expected.

“We believe there is a balance between the magma ocean and the atmosphere,” said Tim Lichtenberg, an astronomer at the University of Groningen.

“As gases escape from the Earth to form the atmosphere, the magma ocean simultaneously reabsorbs them.”

“To account for these observations, this planet would need to be far richer in volatile materials than Earth. It resembles a wet lava ball.”

Findings from this study will be published in today’s Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Johanna K. Teske et al. 2025. A dense volatile atmosphere over the ultra-hot super-earth TOI-561b. APJL 995, L39; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ae0a4c

Source: www.sci.news

Webb Discovers Intricate Structures in Saturn’s Upper Atmosphere

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers utilizing the NASA/ESA James Webb Space Telescope have identified a series of dark, bead-like star formations within Saturn’s ionosphere and stratosphere.

Detection of near-infrared emissions in Saturn’s ionosphere (left) reveals dark bead-like features embedded in bright auroras. In the stratosphere (right), below 500 km, an asymmetric star pattern extends toward the equator. Image credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/WEBB/STALLARD et al.

“This was the first opportunity for me to make such detailed near-infrared observations of Saturn’s aurora and upper atmosphere,” said the researcher.

“We anticipated seeing emissions across various levels.”

“Instead, we observed intricate patterns of beads and stars, which might be interconnected despite their considerable height separation and could relate to the iconic hexagon within Saturn’s clouds.”

“These features were entirely unforeseen and remain unexplained.”

The research team concentrated on detecting infrared emissions from charged molecular hydrogen, which plays a significant role in Saturn’s atmospheric dynamics, offering valuable insights into the chemical and physical processes at work.

Using Webb’s near-infrared spectrograph, scientists observed H³⁺ ions at an altitude of 600 km, 1,100 km above Saturn’s nominal surface, alongside lower stratospheric methane molecules.

Within the ionosphere’s electrically charged plasma, a series of dark bead-like features intermingled within bright aurora halos were detected.

These structures maintained stability for several hours but seemed to drift slowly over time.

In the stratosphere of Saturn, researchers identified asymmetric star-shaped features, dropping approximately 500 km.

This remarkable formation extended from Saturn’s North Pole down toward the equator.

Only four of the star’s six arms were visible, with two mysteriously absent, resulting in a biased pattern.

“Studying Saturn’s atmosphere has always posed challenges due to the faint emissions from that region,” remarked Professor Stallard.

“Webb’s remarkable sensitivity transforms our capacity to observe these atmospheric layers, unveiling a wholly different structural configuration than previously noted.”

The authors meticulously mapped the precise locations of features, overlaying data for the same Saturn area, discovering that the arms of the star seem to emanate from a point just above the hexagonal structure at the Stormcloud level.

This implies that the mechanisms driving the pattern could influence structures penetrating through Saturn’s atmosphere.

“We believe the dark beads arise from the intricate interactions between Saturn’s magnetosphere and its dynamic atmosphere, potentially providing new insights into the energy exchanges that fuel Saturn’s auroras,” stated Professor Stallard.

“The asymmetric star formations suggest previously unknown atmospheric processes functioning within Saturn’s stratosphere and are likely connected to the hexagonal storm pattern observed deeper in Saturn’s atmosphere.”

“Interestingly, the dark beads in the ionosphere seem to align with the arms of the strongest stars in the stratosphere, though it’s unclear whether this connection is genuine or merely coincidental.”

Both phenomena may have significant implications for our comprehension of atmospheric dynamics within the gas giant, although further investigation is needed to elucidate their underlying causes.

The team aspires for additional time to conduct follow-up observations of Saturn using Webb to explore further features.

As planets align approximately every 15 years, the structure can undergo dramatic changes as Saturn’s orientation shifts toward the Sun, moving the Northern Hemisphere into autumn.

“The necessity for follow-up Webb observations during this pivotal phase of Saturn’s seasonal transition is evident, as neither atmospheric layer can be examined using ground-based telescopes.” Paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Book.

The findings were also presented as a result this month at the EPSC-DPS2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

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Tom S. Stallard et al. 2025. JWST/NIRSPEC detects the complex structures of Saturn’s ionosphere and stratosphere. Geophysical Research Book 52 (17): E2025GL116491; doi: 10.1029/2025GL116491

Tom S. Stallard et al. 2025. Transformational observations of the ionosphere of the giant planet with JWST. EPSC Abstract 18: EPSC-DPS2025-817; doi: 10.5194/epsc-dps2025-1438

Source: www.sci.news

Mars Once boasted a Thicker Atmosphere Than Earth’s Today

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Modern Mars has a minimal atmosphere

NASA/JPL/USGS

Mars’ atmosphere may have once been far thicker, providing a protective layer against the frequent asteroid impacts that destroyed other celestial bodies.

Our solar system began forming around 4 billion years ago, and by that time, Mars was nearly fully developed. The planet existed within a vast reservoir of hot gas and dust swirling around a youthful sun, known as the solar nebula, which some planets absorbed into their atmosphere. However, it was believed that as the solar nebula dissipated, Mars would lose this gas, resulting in a thinner atmosphere.

Recently, Sarah Jollett from Paris’ Collège de France and her team propose that Mars retained this gas for a longer period, forming a primordial atmosphere akin to a sustained soup.

Shortly after the nebula receded, it was believed that the orbits of significant planets like Jupiter and Saturn influenced each other, subsequently disturbing the paths of comets and asteroids that headed towards the inner solar system, impacting rocky planets. While chemical signatures of these impacts can be found on Earth, evidence on Mars remains limited.

“All terrestrial planets faced bombardments from comets during this time, and Mars was no exception, so we should observe remnants of this cometary assault on Mars,” Jollett stated at the Europlanet Science Congress held on September 11th in Helsinki, Finland.

Jollett and her colleagues suggest that the dense, hydrogen-rich atmosphere during this era may have diluted comet material that was available for absorption by Mars. By running simulations of the early solar system, they estimated the potential amount of material impacting Mars and compared it to the detectable quantity. They deduced that the original Martian atmosphere had a mass equivalent to 2.9 bars, around three times the atmospheric pressure we experience on the surface today.

However, this atmosphere dissipated relatively swiftly over about a million years, according to Raymond Pierre Hambart from Oxford University, who was not involved in the study. This loss primarily occurred before liquid water could come to the surface of Mars. The necessary clear atmospheric conditions, rich in carbon dioxide, were likely not present in that thick primordial atmosphere.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists Identify Potentially Habitable Planet 40 Light Years Away with Ideal Atmosphere

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Rocky, Earth-sized planets in our Milky Way may be surrounded by atmospheres, with new research indicating a strong possibility of liquid water on their surfaces, supporting the potential for life.

Two separate papers, to be released on Monday in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, focus on the TRAPPIST-1 system, which contains seven rocky planets orbiting a single star. Both studies present initial findings from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, suggesting that one planet, TRAPPIST-1e, could possess a nitrogen-rich atmosphere, although further research is necessary to confirm this.

These findings represent significant progress in the search for extraterrestrial life both within our solar system and beyond.

Recently, NASA revealed that rock samples from Mars may harbor evidence of ancient microorganisms. Presently, Mars has a thin atmosphere made primarily of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon, but billions of years ago, it likely possessed a much thicker atmosphere that allowed liquid water to exist on its surface.

For quite some time, scientists have maintained that water is a crucial element for life.

For a planet or moon to retain water in liquid form, it must have an atmosphere that prevents instant evaporation into space. This makes the search for exoplanet atmospheres one of the most exciting and promising areas of astronomical research.

“Ultimately, our goal is to identify planets that can support life,” stated Ryan McDonald, an exoplanet astronomer at St Andrews University, Scotland, and co-author of both studies. “To do this, we first need to identify whether these planets have atmospheres.”

The TRAPPIST-1 system is located 40 light-years from Earth and has been extensively studied since its discovery in 2016, as some of its planets may have conditions suitable for extraterrestrial life.

One light year is approximately 6 trillion miles.

Specifically, TRAPPIST-1e is thought to reside in the so-called “habitable zone,” where liquid water could be present on the surface—not too close to the star to be scorching hot and not too far to freeze.

In a recent study, astronomers utilized NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to observe four “transits” of TRAPPIST-1e, which occur when the planet passes in front of its star. While the telescope did not directly detect the planet’s atmosphere, it measured how light passing through the atmosphere was absorbed, if one is present.

Like a prism, light can be split into different color bands across the spectrum, and variations in how particular colors are filtered or absorbed can help identify the presence of specific atoms or gas molecules.

For instance, if a specific color is absorbed, it may indicate a high concentration of carbon dioxide, while other color changes could suggest the presence of hydrogen, oxygen, methane, or nitrogen.

“If no color variation is present, the planet is likely just a barren rock,” McDonald noted. “Barren rocks won’t show any color changes in response to light.”

During the four transits, researchers found no signs of a hydrogen-rich atmosphere surrounding TRAPPIST-1e, nor did they observe any indications of a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere. However, observations from the Webb telescope suggest a potential nitrogen-rich atmosphere.

“This is an exciting development that will significantly narrow down the prospects for a more Earth-like atmosphere,” remarked Caroline Piaulett Graeb, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago who was not involved in the new research.

Earth’s atmosphere is composed of a significant amount of nitrogen gas. Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, has an atmosphere primarily made of nitrogen and is believed by NASA to harbor a vast underground sea. Although it may be habitable, the methane-rich environment of the moon differs greatly from conditions on Earth.

Piaulet-Ghorayeb, the lead author of a study published last month in the Astrophysical Journal, focused on another planet in the TRAPPIST-1 system, TRAPPIST-1d. This planet is also located within the habitable zone, but the study found no evidence of common Earth-like molecules such as water, carbon dioxide, or methane.

Studying these distant worlds poses significant challenges.

The TRAPPIST-1 star is small and exceptionally active, producing considerable background noise that complicates researchers’ efforts. McDonald and his team dedicated over a year to analyzing data from the Webb telescope in order to isolate and identify chemical signatures from TRAPPIST-1e and its star.

To confirm the presence of an atmosphere, McDonald and his colleagues plan to observe TRAPPIST-1e during an additional 15 transits over the coming years.

They are also looking into three other planets, TRAPPIST-1f, TRAPPIST-1g, and TRAPPIST-1h, which are located further out in the system.

This research aims to bring scientists closer to answering some of the most persistent questions regarding exoplanets and the existence of life.

“We have not yet reliably confirmed the atmosphere of rocky planets outside our solar system, but it opens the door to studying temperate planets,” said Piaulett-Ghorayeb. “However, there is still much to explore.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Webb Investigates the Atmosphere of Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e in Its Habitable Zone

Posted on September 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers are making strides in exploring the TRAPPIST-1 system with the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing its remarkable capability to glean detailed data about the exoplanet atmospheres and effectively utilize this information. The initial findings stem from Webb’s observation of TRAPPIST-1e. Although the first four observations by Webb are not adequate to fully assess the atmosphere, scientists are using the data to refine the possibilities for these planets, including the presence of oceans similar to those on Earth and a methane-rich environment akin to Saturn’s moon Titan. Meanwhile, additional innovative observations from Webb are ongoing, revealing the unique characteristics of TRAPPIST-1e.

The Earth-sized Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1E is illustrated in the bottom right as it eclipses the flare host star in this artist’s representation of the TRAPPIST-1 system. Image credits: NASA/ESA/CSA/STSCI/JOSEPH OLMSTED, STSCI.

TRAPPIST-1 is a cool dwarf star located in the Aquarius constellation, approximately 38.8 light-years away.

The stars are only slightly larger than Jupiter and possess a mere 8% of the solar mass. They rotate rapidly and emit UV energy flares.

TRAPPIST-1 harbors seven transiting planets designated TRAPPIST-1b, c, d, e, f, g, and h.

All these planets are comparable in size to Earth and Venus, or slightly smaller, with remarkably short orbital periods: 1.51, 2.42, 4.04, 6.06, 9.21, 12.35, and 20 days, respectively.

It is possible that they could be tidally locked, meaning the same side is always facing the host star, resulting in a perpetual day and night side for each TRAPPIST-1 planet.

Among the seven planets, TRAPPIST-1E is of particular interest if it possesses an atmosphere, as its surface water is situated at a theoretically viable distance from the star.

The Space Telescope Science Institute and colleague Dr. Néstor Espinoza aimed the Webb’s NIRSpec (near-infrared spectrometer) instrument at TRAPPIST-1e during its transits in front of the star.

As starlight filters through the planet’s atmosphere, it can be partially absorbed, revealing the specific chemicals present by the resulting dips in the light spectrum that reaches Webb.

As more transits are analyzed, the clarity regarding the atmospheric composition improves.

With only four transits analyzed thus far, numerous possibilities remain open for TRAPPIST-1E, though researchers speculate that it lacks a significant primary atmosphere.

Given TRAPPIST-1’s active nature and frequent flares, it’s not unexpected that the potential hydrogen-helium atmosphere of the planet could have been stripped away by stellar radiation.

However, many planets, like Earth, develop a denser secondary atmosphere after losing their initial one.

TRAPPIST-1E may not have the capacity for this and could potentially lack a secondary atmosphere.

“We have devised a novel method to analyze Webb’s data to assess the potential atmosphere and surface conditions of TRAPPIST-1E,” said the scientist.

It appears unlikely that TRAPPIST-1e’s atmosphere is largely composed of carbon dioxide, reminiscent of Venus’s thick atmosphere or Mars’s thinner one.

Nonetheless, astronomers should be cautious, as there are no direct parallels to our solar system.

“Because TRAPPIST-1 is significantly different from our Sun, the surrounding planetary systems also exhibit notable differences, posing challenges to both observational and theoretical frameworks,” remarked Dr. Nicole Lewis of Cornell University.

“If TRAPPIST-1E has liquid water, it would require a greenhouse effect. This effect incorporates various gases, especially carbon dioxide, which help stabilize the atmosphere and maintain a warm environment on the planet.”

“A minimal greenhouse effect is beneficial, and measurements do not exclude the presence of carbon dioxide necessary to preserve water on the surface.”

The team’s analysis suggests that water could exist as global oceans or be distributed in smaller, ice-encased regions at midday.

This is due to the size of the TRAPPIST-1 planets and their orbital sizes, all of which are thought to be tidally locked, with one side perpetually facing the star and the other shrouded in darkness.

“They’re remarkable,” stated Dr. Anna Glidden, an astronomer at the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research at MIT.

“This is an astounding measurement of starlight around an Earth-sized planet located 40 light-years away, providing insights into potential life there if conditions permit.”

“It’s thrilling to be part of this new era of exploration.”

The latest findings from Webb are discussed in two new papers published in Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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Néstor Espinoza et al. 2025. JWST-TST Dreams: NIRSpec/Prism transmission spectroscopy of the planet TRAPPIST-1e. ApJL 990, L52; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf42e

Anna Glidden et al. 2025. JWST-TST Dreams: Secondary atmosphere constraints of the habitable zone planet TRAPPIST-1e. ApJL 990, L53; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf62e

Source: www.sci.news

Small Discs Can Ascend to the Upper Atmosphere Solely Using Solar Energy

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Illustration of a solar-powered levitating disc

Schafer et al. Nature

SEI 261839461 — Illustration of a solar-powered levitating disc

Schafer et al. Nature

A tiny disc, roughly the size of a nail, has the potential to ascend to high altitudes in sunlight while carrying sensors through some of the coldest and thinnest parts of the atmosphere. These swarms, flying higher than commercial aircraft and balloons, could reveal new insights regarding Earth’s evolving weather and climate.

These floating devices harness a phenomenon known as photophoresis. This was initially discovered over 150 years ago when chemist William Crookes invented a radiometer, a device with black and white feathers that spin when they are exposed to sunlight. The wings absorb light and release heat, increasing the momentum of nearby gas molecules. Due to the difference in temperature between the black and white sides of the wings, the black side emits more momentum, allowing the air to flow in one direction with sufficient force to turn the wings.

“We’ve embraced this lesser-known physics to develop applications that could benefit many people, enhancing our understanding of how weather and climate change unfolds over time.” Ben Schafer from Harvard University.

To create the levitating disc, Schafer and his team designed a device that spans 1 cm, composed of two sheets of aluminum oxide filled with microscale holes. When illuminated, the lower sheet, which contains alternating layers of chromium and aluminum oxide, heats up more than the top layer, similar to the black sides of the radiometer blades. This generates a directional airflow that moves upwards instead of sideways.

Under white LED and laser illumination — set to an intensity that mimics about 50% of natural sunlight — this upward force successfully lifted the device. This represents progress over previous solar-powered flyers, which required light intensity significantly brighter than sunlight. However, the tests were conducted under laboratory conditions with air pressure much lower than Earth’s surface pressure.

Fortunately, such low pressure conditions are common at higher altitudes, especially in the Mesosphere, which spans 50-85 km above the Earth. Researchers indicate that increasing the disc’s size to 3 centimeters could enable it to carry a 10-milligram payload to hard-to-reach research areas at altitudes of 75 km. Schafer has co-founded a startup, Rare Feed Technology, aiming to commercialize fleets of these high-flying devices for environmental monitoring and communications.

After sunset, computer modeling indicates that these discs could utilize the heat radiating from Earth’s surface to remain airborne. “If they can stay afloat during the night, that represents a significant advancement instead of simply descending and landing.” Igor Bargatin from the University of Pennsylvania, who is conducting similar research.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

The Earth’s Atmosphere Reaches CO2 Levels Not Seen in Millions of Years

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at the University of California, San Diego, indicates that the Earth’s atmosphere contains millions, and potentially tens of millions, of carbon dioxide molecules.

For the first time ever, the global average concentration of carbon dioxide—a greenhouse gas emitted from burning fossil fuels—surpassed 430 parts per million (ppm) in May. These measurements represent a record high, with an increase of over 3 ppm from last year.

The findings suggest that efforts to curtail greenhouse gas emissions and reverse the growing accumulation of CO2 are insufficient.

“Another year, another record,” stated Ralph Keeling, a professor of climate science, marine chemistry, and geochemistry at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California; he commented. “I am saddened.”

Carbon dioxide, like other greenhouse gases, traps heat from the sun and can persist in the atmosphere for centuries. High levels of these gases contribute to rising global temperatures and other adverse effects of climate change, including increased sea levels, polar ice melt, and more frequent extreme weather events.

Since the pre-industrial era, CO2 levels in the atmosphere have sharply risen, primarily due to human activities that release greenhouse gases.

Just a few decades ago, crossing the 400 ppm threshold seemed unimaginable. This means that for every million molecules of gas in the atmosphere, over 400 would be carbon dioxide. The planet reached this daunting milestone in 2013. Current warnings suggest that CO2 levels could approach 500 ppm within the next 30 years.

Human society is now in uncharted territory.

According to Keeling, the planet likely experienced such high atmospheric CO2 levels over 30 million years ago, during a time with very different climatic conditions.

He noted the remarkable speed at which CO2 levels are rising.

“It’s changing very quickly,” he told NBC News. “If humans had evolved in an environment with high CO2 levels, the absence of suitable habitats would have likely shaped our evolution. We could have adapted to that world, but instead, we’ve constructed society and civilization based on the climate of the past.”

CO2 levels are typically illustrated using the Keeling Curve, named in honor of Keeling’s father, Charles David Keeling, who began daily atmospheric CO2 measurements in 1958 from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.

The Keeling Curve prominently displays the steep rise in CO2 since the Industrial Revolution, attributed to human-induced climate change.

Ralph Keeling and his colleagues at the Scripps Oceanographic Institute reported that the average atmospheric CO2 concentration for May was 430.2 ppm, while NOAA’s Global Monitoring Institute, which has been conducting separate daily measurements since 1974, noted an average of 430.5 ppm for the same month.

Monitoring atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is crucial for understanding how human activities impact the Earth’s climate. These measurements also serve as key indicators of the planet’s overall health.

“These measurements provide insight into the health of the entire system with just one data point,” Keeling explained. “We achieve a comprehensive view of the atmosphere through relatively simple measurement techniques.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The River Releases Ancient Carbon Into the Atmosphere

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Rivers like the Chuya in Russia can emit carbon dioxide and methane.

Parilov/Shutterstock

Globally, rivers are releasing ancient carbon into the atmosphere, revealing surprising insights for scientists and indicating that human impact on natural landscapes may be more severe than previously understood.

It is already established that rivers emit carbon dioxide and methane as part of the carbon cycle, a rapid gas exchange linked to the growth and decay of organisms, estimated to release around 2 Gigatonnes of carbon annually.

Researchers, including Josh Dean from the University of Bristol, explored the age of this carbon.

The team utilized radiocarbon dating to analyze carbon and methane released from over 700 river segments across 26 countries.

“When we compiled the available data, what we found was surprisingly significant. [Regarding the carbon released], these ancient stores may originate from much older reserves,” Dean states.

Ancient carbon is sequestered in geological formations such as rocks, peat bogs, and wetlands. The findings reveal that around one Gigatonne of this carbon is released annually via rivers, leading to the conclusion that ecosystems are currently removing one Gigatonne less carbon from the atmospheric balance than previously believed.

“This represents the first comprehensive assessment of river emissions on a global scale, which is quite remarkable,” remarks Taylor Maavara from the Cary Ecosystem Studies Institute in Millbrook, New York.

The pressing concern now is understanding the reasons behind the release of such ancient carbon. Factors might include climate change and human activities that alter natural landscapes. Dean observes that the carbon from rivers has appeared “aged” since the 1990s.

“Human activity may be accessing these long-term carbon reservoirs, which can lead to older carbon being released through these channels,” he explains.

For instance, rising temperatures due to climate change can result in carbon being released from thawing permafrost and increase the weathering rates of rocks. Additional factors such as peatland drainage and wetland desiccation could also play a role. Dean emphasizes the necessity for further research to ascertain the degree to which human activities contribute to this phenomenon and how carbon release varies over time.

“This is a critical area of research,” he asserts. “If we believe we are storing old carbon within these reservoirs, we’re mistaken; this understanding is crucial.” These insights carry significant implications for national climate strategies, particularly concerning reliance on natural ecosystems to mitigate ongoing emissions.

“This research raises intriguing questions about how and to what extent we can manage ancient carbon,” says Scott Teig from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He adds that tackling climate change is likely vital to prevent the release of CO2 and methane from these ancient reserves.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Webb Discovers Silicon Monoxide in the Atmosphere of Ultra-Hot Jupiter WASP-121b

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers leveraging the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have identified water, carbon monoxide, and methane in the atmosphere of WASP-121B, as well as in Earth’s nightside atmosphere. This marks the first detection of silicon monoxide in any planetary atmosphere, including those within our solar system and beyond.

This artistic impression illustrates the phase during which WASP-121B collects most of its gas, inferred from recent findings. Image credit: T. Muller, MPIA & HDA.

WASP-121B is approximately 1.87 times larger and 1.18 times more massive than Jupiter.

First discovered in 2016, it completes an orbit around its host star, the F6-type WASP-121 (TYC 7630-352-1), in just 1.3 days, as observed by the WASP-SOUTH SURVEY.

The WASP-121 system is situated about 881 light years away in the constellation of Puppis.

Characterized as an Ultra Hot Jupiter, WASP-121B orbits its parent star in a mere 1.3 days, being so close that the star’s gravitational pull begins to physically disrupt it.

Estimates suggest that the temperatures on the planet’s eternal daytime side exceed 3,000 degrees Celsius, while the nightside cools down to around 1,500 degrees Celsius.

“The discovery of silicon monoxide in the atmosphere of WASP-121B is revolutionary, marking the first definitive identification of this molecule in any planetary atmosphere,” stated Dr. Anjali Piette, an astronomer at the University of Birmingham.

“The composition of the nightside atmosphere of WASP-121B indicates vertical mixing: the transport of gases from deeper atmospheric layers to the peak observed in infrared light.”

“We were surprised to find methane on the nightside given the extreme temperatures of this planet.”

Measurements of carbon-to-hydrogen, oxygen-to-hydrogen, silicon-to-hydrogen, and oxygen-to-oxygen ratios in the atmosphere suggest that during its formation, WASP-121B’s atmosphere was enriched by inner rocky materials enhanced by erosion-resistant bombardment.

“They’re outstanding,” remarked Dr. Thomas Evans Soma, an astronomer at Newcastle University.

In their research, astronomers employed a method known as phase curve observation, which entails tracking a planet’s orbit around its star and analyzing variations in its brightness.

These observations reveal details about both the daytime and nighttime hemispheres, along with their chemical makeups.

“The successful detection of these elements and characterization of WASP-121B’s atmosphere with Webb showcases the telescope’s capabilities and sets a precedent for future exploratory research,” Dr. Piette remarked.

Study published today in the journal Nature Astronomy.

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TM Evans-Soma et al. Ultra-Stellar C/O ratio in the atmosphere of SIO and giant exoplanet WASP-121. Nature Astronomy Published online on June 2, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41550-025-02513-x

Source: www.sci.news

Unexpected Image Uncovers New Insights into the Sun’s Atmosphere

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldwmygyq3nm

Astronomers have uncovered new phenomena occurring in the solar atmosphere, aided by remarkable new images of stars.

In a study conducted by Dark Schmidt and his team at the US National Solar Observatory, they utilized the California Good Solar Telescope to capture these images. By employing a technique known as adaptive optics, they minimized distortions caused by Earth’s atmosphere during solar observations, enabling them to examine the features of the corona, which is the outer atmosphere of stars.

“The level of detail is unprecedented; these are things that no one has ever observed before,” Schmidt states.

Plasma flows through the sun’s corona

Schmidt et al./njit/nso/aura/nsf

Newly revealed details include plasma flows within the corona and the plasma loops referred to as solar prominences.

The images also provide the clearest view of coronal rain observed to date, displaying plasma droplets about the size of cities falling toward the sun’s surface as they cool and become denser. “Gravity pulls them down toward the sun,” Schmidt explains.

The observations were conducted during the summers of 2023 and 2024. Researchers anticipate that some images will shed light on why the solar corona is significantly hotter than the solar surface—a difference of millions versus thousands of degrees, a perplexing enigma.

One theory involves the magnetic fields that interact and reconnect within the solar corona. “In numerous images and videos we present, you can observe intricately intertwined structures and chaotic movements at a minute scale,” notes Schmidt.

Some features captured in the images remain unexplained, such as a plasma filament splitting into multiple fragments. “Currently, we are missing a conclusive explanation,” Schmidt conveys. “This could indicate a novel phenomenon, and it’s thrilling to see how other scientists will further investigate this.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Planetary Researchers Discover Wobble-like Atmosphere Similar to Saturn’s Hazy Moon Titan

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Titan is the sole moon in our solar system with a significant atmosphere, captivating planetary scientists for years. Recent analysis of archival infrared data from the composite infrared spectrometer (CIRS) onboard the NASA/ESA Cassini-Huygens mission reveals that Titan’s hazy atmosphere does not rotate uniformly with its surface but instead exhibits a wobbly motion akin to that of a seasonally shifting gyroscope.

This view of Titan is among the final images received from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute.

“The dynamics of Titan’s atmospheric tilt are quite peculiar,” remarked Dr. Lucy Wright, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bristol.

“Titan’s atmosphere acts similarly to a gyroscope and seems to maintain stability in space.”

“We suspect that certain historical events may have displaced the atmosphere from its spin axis, resulting in its wobbling motion.”

“More intriguing is the observation that the degree of this tilt varies with Titan’s seasons.”

Dr. Wright and her team analyzed the symmetry within Titan’s atmospheric temperature field, confirming their hypothesis that it is centrally located at the poles.

However, this symmetry alters over time, corresponding with Titan’s extensive seasonal cycles that span nearly 30 years.

“What complicates matters is that this phenomenon is unaffected by the Sun or Saturn; it remains stationary in space, while the slope direction is fixed,” noted Professor Nick Teenby from the University of Bristol.

“This presents us with a riddle instead of a solution.”

This discovery will impact NASA’s upcoming Dragonfly Mission, a rotorcraft set to reach Titan in the 2030s.

Dragonflies will descend into the atmosphere, subject to the rapid winds of Titan, which are approximately 20 times faster than the surface rotation.

Understanding how the atmosphere wobbles seasonally is crucial for accurately determining the landing trajectory of the Dragonfly.

The tilt influences the payload’s aerial trajectory, making this study vital for engineers in predicting landing sites.

“The Goddard Space Flight Center noted: ‘NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center plays a significant role globally.”

“This instrument travels across the solar system, continuing to yield valuable scientific insights.”

“The behavior of Titan’s atmosphere as a rotating top detaches from the surface prompts fascinating inquiries that enhance our understanding of atmospheric physics, applicable to both Titan and Earth.”

Survey results were published this week in the Journal of Planetary Science.

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Lucy Wright et al. 2025. Seasonal evolution of the stratospheric slope and temperature field of Titan at high resolution from Cassini/CIRS. Planet. SCI. J 6, 114; doi: 10.3847/psj/adcab3

Source: www.sci.news

Webb discovers potential signs of life in the atmosphere of K2-18b

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope detected chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMD) in the atmosphere of the hyperexterrestrial K2-18b. On Earth, DMS and DMD are produced solely by life, primarily microorganisms such as marine phytoplankton. While unknown chemical processes may be the source of these molecules in the atmosphere of K2-18B, the results are the most powerful evidence that life may exist on planets outside of spores.

Impressions of the artists of Super Earth ExoPlanet K2-18b. Image credit: A. Smith/N. Mandhusudhan.

K2-18 is a red dwarf about 111 light years away from Leo’s constellation.

The star, also known as Epic 201912552, hosts two giant deplanets: K2-18B and K2-18C.

The K2-18B, first discovered in 2015, has a radius of 2.6 times, about 8.6 times.

The planet orbits the star every 33 days at a distance of about 0.15 Au and has an Earth Similarity Index of 0.73.

It receives 1.28 times the intensity of the Earth’s light, and its equilibrium temperature is 2 degrees Celsius (28 degrees Fahrenheit).

Previous observations of K2-18b identified methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. This was the first time a carbon-based molecule was discovered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in a habitable zone.

These results were consistent with Hycean’s global predictions. This is an exoplanet covered with habitable oceans under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

However, another weak signal suggested that something else could happen with the K2-18B.

Transmission spectra of K2-18B using Webb’s Miri Spectrograph. Image credit: A. Smith/N. Mandhusudhan.

“I wasn’t sure if the signal I saw last time was due to DMS, but that hint alone was so exciting that I used a different instrument to make it look different from the Webb,” said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer at Cambridge University.

Previous tentative DMS inferences were made using Webb’s Niriss (near-infrared imager and slitless spectrograph) and Nirspec (near-infrared spectrograph) instruments.

New independent observations used Webb’s Miri (medium-infrared instrument) in the mid-infrared (6-12 microns) range.

“This is independent evidence using different wavelength ranges of light that do not overlap with previous observations, and not with previous observations. The signal has become stronger and more clear,” Professor Madhusudhan said.

“It was incredible to see results emerge and remain consistent through extensive independent analysis and robustness testing,” added Dr. Måns Holmberg, an astronomer at the Institute of Space Telescope Science.

DMS and DMD are molecules from the same family of chemicals, and both are predicted to be biosignatures.

Although both molecules have spectral features that overlap the observed wavelength range, further observations can help distinguish between the two molecules.

However, the concentration of atmospheric DMS and DMD in K2-18B is very different from Earth, which is generally less than a billionth of a volume.

In the K2-18B, they are estimated to be thousands of times stronger.

“The outcome is exciting, but it’s important to get more data before you claim that life has been discovered in another world,” Professor Madhusdan said.

“The inference of these biosignal molecules raises deep questions about the processes that may be producing them,” says Dr. Subajit Sarkar, an astronomer at Cardiff University.

“They’re the most popular and most popular,” said Dr. Savvas Constantinou, an astronomer at the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge University.

“It’s important that we are deeply skeptical of our own outcomes, because once again, it’s only through testing and testing that we can get to where we are confident in them. That’s how science works,” Professor Madhusudhan said.

study It was released today Astrophysics Journal Letter.

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Nick Madhusdan et al. 2025. New constraints of atmospheric DMS and DMD of K2-18B from JWST millimeters. apjl 983, L40; doi: 10.3847/2041-8213/ADC1C8

Source: www.sci.news

Study finds Liches are resilient to simulated Mars atmosphere exposure

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

According to a new study from the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences, certain lichen species can withstand a 50 Gy (gray) Mars-like condition expected at a 50 Gy (gray) X-ray radiation dose of strong solar activity over a year on the surface of Mars.

Morphological and anatomical properties of Setoria Acleatta (a,d,g,j) and diploschistes muscorum (B, C, E, F, H, I, K, L).

Liches live in a wide variety of ecosystems around the world, but are especially important in extreme environments such as hot deserts and cold polar regions.

They are known as extremes and can survive under extreme temperatures, intense radiation, and prolonged water shortages.

The prominent ability of lichens to withstand harsh conditions led to the suggestion that it is suitable for survival in extreme environments of outer space.

The successful life strategy of lichen depends on the symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, allowing them to colonize extreme terrestrial habitats where other multicellular organisms cannot survive.

The key to understanding their impressive resistance lies in the “stress tolerant” organisms, namely the characteristics of low nutritional requirements for metabolic rates and extended lifespans. These are further supported by radiation screening, heat dissipation and antioxidant protection.

Moreover, they can even deal with long periods of water shortage and total lack of liquid water.

This is associated with a lack of ability to regulate moisture content, allowing long-term, severe dryness without damage from dormant states, but can withstand high levels of UV/photosynthetic active radiation and extreme temperatures associated with drought conditions.

Mars is the main focus of interest in astrobiology due to the presence of water and the related possibilities of life.

The current atmospheric conditions on Mars keep people at bay, and the potential habitat for existing living is limited.

Nevertheless, during more favorable climate times, habitable environments may be present below or on the surface.

These niches can serve as isolated habitats that protect against harsh conditions.

The atmosphere is mainly composed of carbon dioxide (95%), but the effectiveness of greenhouse warming is limited.

Mars’ temperature is mainly below the freezing point of water, with atmospheric pressure of 6 mbar.

As a result, a significant portion of Mars’ existing water is ice and atmospheric water vapor. However, certain amounts of water may be present temporarily as liquid water.

Both ionizing radiation and deindependence always reach the surface of Mars and pass through the Mars atmosphere much easier than Earth.

This factor is most restrictive in the Martian habitability context, as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation are very harmful to living things.

“In our study, lichen symbiotic fungal partners remained metabolically active when exposed to atmospheric conditions like Mars in the dark, including the expected X-ray radiation levels on Mars, which are expected to have strong solar activity over a year.”

In their study, the authors focused on two lichen species, diploschistes muscorum and Setoria Acleattaselected for different properties and exposed to Mars-like conditions for 5 hours in simulations of planetary atmosphere composition, pressure, temperature variation, and X-ray radiation.

The findings suggest particularly lichens diploschistes muscorumdespite the high doses of X-ray radiation associated with solar flares and energy particles reaching the surface of the planet, it can survive on Mars.

These results challenge the assumption that ionizing radiation is an insurmountable barrier to Mars’ life and set the stages of further research into the possibilities of extraterrestrial microorganisms and symbiotic survival.

“Our study is the first to demonstrate that the metabolism of fungal partners in lichen symbiosis remains active while in an environment similar to the Martian surface,” Dr. Sukibauwa said.

“We found it diploschistes muscorum It was able to carry out metabolic processes and effectively activate the defense mechanism. ”

“These findings expand our understanding of biological processes under simulated Mars conditions and reveal how hydrates respond to ionized radiation.

“Ultimately, this study will deepen our knowledge of the adaptation of lichens and the possibility of colonizing the extraterrestrial environment.”

Survey results It will be displayed in the journal IMA bacteria.

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K.Skubała et al. 2025. Ionized Radiation Resilience: How metabolically active lichens endure simulated exposure to the Martian atmosphere. IMA bacteria 16:E145477; doi:10.3897/imafungus.16.145477

Source: www.sci.news

New research suggests that gravitational waves are responsible for the mid-ambient atmosphere on Mars

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

According to a new study by planetary researchers at Tokyo Planet University, atmospheric gravity waves play an important role in driving airflows, particularly at altitudes, at latitudes.

This image from the Emirates Mars Mission shows Mars and its thin atmosphere. Image credit: UAESA/MBRSC/HOPE MARS MISSION/EXI/ANDREALUCK.

“On Earth, the large atmospheric waves caused by the rotation of a planet known as the Rossby waves are the main effect on the way stratospheric air circulates, or the lower part of the medium atmosphere.”

“However, our research shows that on Mars, gravitational waves have the dominant effect in the mid-atmosphere and at high latitudes.”

“Rossby's waves are large atmospheric or resolved waves, while gravitational waves are unresolved waves, meaning that they must be estimated using finer, more indirect means to be measured or modeled.”

“Don't confuse it with gravitational waves from the body of a large star. Gravitational waves are atmospheric phenomena when packets of air rise and fall due to buoyancy fluctuations. Their oscillating movements cause gravitational waves.”

Due to their small-scale nature and limitations of observational data, planetary researchers previously discovered that it is difficult to quantify their importance in the Martian atmosphere.

Therefore, Professor Sato and her colleagues turned to the Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS) dataset generated by various space-based observations over the years to analyze seasonal variation.

“We found something interesting. Gravitational waves promote the rapid vertical movement of angular momentum, which has a major impact on the meridian or north-north in the mid-atmospheric circulation on Mars,” said Anzu Asumi, a graduate student at Tokyo University.

“It's interesting because it's more like the behavior seen in the Earth's mesosphere, not in our stratosphere.”

“This suggests that the effects of these waves may need to be better incorporated to improve existing Mars atmospheric circulation models, and could improve future climate and weather simulations.”

The team is currently planning to investigate the effects of Mars sandstorms on atmospheric circulation.

“So far, our analysis has focused on a year without large sandstorms,” Professor Sato said.

“However, I think these storms could dramatically change the state of the atmosphere and strengthen the role of gravitational waves in circulation.”

“In our research, there is a basis for predicting Mars weather, which is essential to guarantee the success of future Mars missions.”

study It will be displayed in Journal of Journal Geophysics: Planets.

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Anzu Asumi et al. Climatology of the residual average circulation of the Martian atmosphere and the contribution of solutions and unresolved waves based on reanalysis datasets. Journal of Journal Geophysics: PlanetsPublished online on March 6th, 2025. doi:10.1029/2023je008137

Source: www.sci.news

Mapping the Three-Dimensional Structure of the Atmosphere of WASP-121B by Astronomers

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

An extreme class of planets not found in our solar system, Ultrahot Jupiters offers a unique window into atmospheric processes. Using four telescope units in ESO’s extremely large telescopes, astronomers are currently being investigated deep into the atmosphere of the Ultra Hot Jupiter ExoPlanet WASP-121B, revealing separate powerful winds in separate layers, We have formed a map of the 3D structure of the atmosphere.

This diagram shows the atmospheric structure and movement of the WASP-121B. Image credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser.

The WASP-121B is a gas giant exoplanet 1.87 times larger than Jupiter and 1.18 times larger.

First discovered in 2016, this alien world takes just 1.3 days to traverse the parent F6 star WASP-121 (TYC 7630-352-1).

The WASP-121 system is approximately 881 light years away from the puppy’s constellations.

The WASP-121B is what is called “Ultra Hot Jupiter” and takes only 1.3 days to get the WASP-121 into orbit. It’s so close to the parent star, that when it gets closer, the star’s gravity begins to tear it apart.

Astronomers estimate the planet’s temperature is about 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,600 degrees Fahrenheit), high enough to boil some metals.

“The WASP-121B atmosphere behaves in a way that challenges understanding of how the weather works not only on Earth, but on all planets,” says the astronomer at Lagrange Laboratory, an astronomer at ESO. said Dr. Julia Victoria Seidel. Cote d’Azur.

“It feels like something from science fiction.”

“What we found was amazing. The Jet River rotates material around the planet’s equator, and another flow at a lower level in the atmosphere moves the gas from the hot side to the cool side. “

“We’ve never seen this kind of climate on any planet.”

“The observed jet stream spans half the planet, gaining speed and thrusts the air in the sky hard as it crosses the hot side of the WASP-121B.”

“Even the strongest hurricanes in the solar system seem milder in comparison.”

Dr. Seidel and colleagues to reveal the 3D structure of the atmosphere of the WASP-121B Used Espresso equipment located in ESO’s extremely large telescopes (VLTs) combines the light from four large telescope units into a single signal.

This combination mode of VLT collects 4 times the light of an individual telescope unit and reveals the details of the feinder.

Espresso was able to detect signatures of multiple chemical elements by observing the planet’s complete passage in front of the host star, resulting in different layers of the atmosphere.

“The VLT has led to three different layers of the Exoplanet atmosphere falling on one side,” said Dr. Leonardo A. dos Santos, an astronomer at the Institute of Space Telescope Science.

Astronomers were able to track the movement of iron, sodium and hydrogen, and track winds in the deep, central and shallow layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, respectively.

“It’s a very challenging observation for space telescopes and highlights the importance of ground-based observations on exoplanets,” Dr. Dos Santos said.

Interestingly, observations are also It was revealed Titanium is present just below the jet stream.

This was another surprise, as previous observations of the planet showed that this element was absent, and perhaps hidden deep within the atmosphere.

“It’s truly amazing to be able to study the details of such vast distances such as the chemical composition and weather patterns,” said PhD Viviana Prinos. A student at Lund University.

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JV Seidel et al. Vertical structure of the atmospheric jet stream of the exporanet. NaturePublished online on February 18th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08664-1

Source: www.sci.news

Curiosity Rover Discovers Noctilucent Clouds in Mars Atmosphere

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

New images and shows taken over 16 minutes by the Mastcam Instrument of NASA’s Curiosity Rover on January 17, 2025 Night or in twilight cloudsin the atmosphere of Mars. Sometimes these clouds create rainbows of color, creating rainbow clouds and mother clouds. If it is too faint to be visible in the daytime, the clouds will be particularly high and only visible when the evening falls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnaqwu1wzm4

Mars clouds are made of either water ice or carbon dioxide ice at higher altitudes and lower temperatures.

The latter is the only kind of cloud observed on the red planet, producing rainbow colors, and can be seen near the top of the new image at an altitude of 60-80 km (37-50 miles).

It also appears that white feathers fall into the atmosphere on a low ride 50 km (31 miles) from the surface before evaporating due to rising temperatures.

Temporarily visible at the bottom of the image are water ice clouds moving in the opposite direction about 50 km of the curiosity rover.

This Curiosity/Mastcam image shows simultaneous clouds in the atmosphere of Mars. Image credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/SSI.

“When I first saw these rainbow clouds, I always remember, but at first I was sure it was a few colour artifacts,” said the Atmospheric Scientist at the Institute of Space Science. said one Dr. Mark Lemon.

“It’s now predictable, so you can plan your shots ahead of time. Clouds appear at the exact same time.”

“Each sighting is an opportunity to learn more about the particle size and growth rates of Mars clouds, which will provide you with more information about the planet’s atmosphere.”

“The potential source of clouds can be gravitational waves, which can cool the atmosphere.”

“We weren’t expecting carbon dioxide to condense into ice here, so we’re cooling until something is likely to happen.”

“However, the gravitational waves on Mars are not fully understood, and we are not entirely aware of what the Twilight clouds are formed in one place and not elsewhere. “

Source: www.sci.news

Today, an asteroid will spectacularly burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Map showing where asteroid fireballs can be seen in Siberia

ESA

A dramatic but harmless spectacle will take place over Siberia today as an asteroid about 70 centimeters in diameter burns up in the atmosphere.

The space rock will illuminate the sky over northern Siberia at around 11:15 pm local time (4:15 pm Japan time). Warning from the European Space Agency (ESA).

Alan Fitzsimmons Britain's Queen's University Belfast says objects of this size pose no danger to people on the ground, but early warnings are a positive sign that our ability to detect these objects before they hit Earth is increasing. It is said that this is a sign.

“It's small, but it's still going to be pretty spectacular,” Fitzsimmons said. “The sky above the impact site will darken and a very impressive, very bright fireball will spread across the sky for hundreds of kilometers around it.”

Several objects of this size collide with Earth every year, and we are getting better at detecting them early. The first discovery was in 2008. The next discovery was made six years later, but the pace of observations has picked up. Today's asteroid, named C0WEPC5, is the fourth predicted to hit Earth this year.

Early warning of small asteroids gives astronomers the opportunity to observe them, collect data, and even try to collect any small pieces that survive. Fitzsimmons said the first such predicted impact in 2008 led to the recovery of a small piece of rock and generated important science. “What was beautiful was that the meteorite's reflectivity matched exactly what was measured by telescopes before the impact, and it was a perfect match between what we saw in space and what we later found on Earth. “It shows a very nice direct connection,” he says.

Detecting larger, more dangerous objects heading toward Earth could provide an opportunity to deflect them or at least evacuate the dangerous area.

NASA and ESA currently have dedicated programs for asteroid discovery and tracking. This involves a large network of dedicated observatories and amateur astronomers who read the positions of known objects so that their orbits can be better understood and predicted.

This latest asteroid was discovered by NASA's Asteroid Earth Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). ATLAS operates four telescopes around the world and is designed to provide up to a week of collision warning.

“This is a victory for science, [for] “If you happen to be in Siberia this evening, there will definitely be something to take your mind off the very cold temperatures,” says Fitzsimmons.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Scientists claim that New building biomaterial can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The new biomaterial, called C-ELM, incorporates live cyanobacteria in translucent panels that can be attached to the interior walls of buildings. The microbes embedded in these panels grow through photosynthesis, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and attaching it to calcium through a biomineralization process to produce calcium carbonate, which traps carbon.

C-ELM is Camptonema Animal Cyanobacteria extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Image courtesy of Prantar Tamuli.

One kilogram of C-ELM (cyanobacterial engineered biomaterial) can capture and sequester up to 350 grams of carbon dioxide, while the same amount of traditional concrete releases as much as 500 grams of carbon dioxide.

A 150-square-metre wall covered with these C-ELM panels will trap around one tonne of carbon dioxide.

“By developing C-ELM materials, my goal is to transform the construction of future human settlements from one of the largest carbon emitting activities into one of the largest carbon sequestration activities,” said Planter Tamri, a graduate student at University College London.

“I was inspired to develop this material through my study of stromatolites – natural stone structures that formed over millions of years from sediments trapped by algal mats, the oldest living organisms on Earth.”

Tamri et al. Camptonema AnimalA type of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, it grows in long filamentous structures that help attach the microbes to the surrounding material within the panel.

The calcium carbonate produced by the cyanobacteria helps strengthen the panels.

The panels themselves are designed to provide a variety of aesthetic and structural benefits to buildings.

It is lightweight, sound absorbing, translucent enough to let light through, and has insulating properties, making buildings more energy efficient.

The first such panel was unveiled at an exhibition in the “Bioscope” pavilion at St. Andrews Botanic Garden in Scotland.

Designed by design collective Studio Biocene, the exhibit showcased low-carbon, low-impact building methods that mimic the natural environment.

“The potential of this type of biomaterial is enormous,” said Professor Marcos Cruz, from University College London.

“If mass-produced and widely adopted, it has the potential to dramatically reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint.”

“We hope to scale up the production of this C-ELM and further optimize its performance to make it suitable for use on construction sites.”

_____

This article is a version of a press release provided by University College London.

Source: www.sci.news

Webb’s revelation of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have detected trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of the Jupiter-sized exoplanet HD 189733b.

Artist's impression of hot Jupiter exoplanet HD 189733b. Image courtesy of Roberto Molar Candanosa / Johns Hopkins University.

HD 189733b is a hot gas giant with a hazy atmosphere composed mostly of hydrogen that lies about 63 light-years away in the constellation Vulpecula.

The planet is discovered It was discovered in 2005 by astronomers using two telescopes at the Observatory of Haute-Provence.

HD 189733b is just 1.2 times the size of Jupiter, but it orbits its parent star, HD 189733, very closely, completing one revolution around the star every 2.2 days.

“Hydrogen sulfide is a major molecule that we didn't know existed. We predicted it would be there, and we know it's on Jupiter, but we'd never actually detected it outside the solar system,” said Dr Guangwei Hu, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University.

“Although we're not looking for life on this planet because it's too hot, the discovery of hydrogen sulfide is a stepping stone to finding this molecule on other planets and improving our understanding of how different types of planets form.”

“In addition to detecting hydrogen sulfide and measuring the total amount of sulfur in HD 189733b's atmosphere, we also precisely measured the main sources of oxygen and carbon on the planet: water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.”

“Sulfur is an essential element for building more complex molecules, and like carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and phosphate, scientists need to study it further to fully understand how planets are built and what they're made of.”

The Webb probe will give scientists new tools to track hydrogen sulfide and measure sulfur on gas giants outside our solar system, just as they have detected water, carbon dioxide, methane and other important molecules on other exoplanets.

“Let's say we study another 100 hot Jupiters and they're all enriched with sulphur. What does that say about how they came into being and how they formed differently compared to our Jupiter?” Dr Fu said.

The new data, delivered by the Webb Telescope at unprecedented precision and in infrared wavelengths, also rule out the presence of methane in HD 189733b's atmosphere, refuting previous claims that the molecule is abundant in the atmosphere.

“We thought the planet would be too hot for high concentrations of methane to exist, but it turns out that's not the case,” Dr Fu said.

Astronomers also measured Jupiter-like levels of heavy metals, a discovery that could help scientists answer questions about the correlation between a planet's metallicity and its mass.

“Low-mass ice giants like Neptune and Uranus contain more metals than gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, the largest planets in the solar system,” Dr Fu said.

“High metallicity suggests that Neptune and Uranus accumulated more ice, rock and other heavy elements compared to gases such as hydrogen and helium early in their formation. Scientists are testing whether this correlation also holds true for exoplanets.”

“This Jupiter-mass planet is very close to Earth and has been very well studied. Now, our new measurements show that this planet's metal concentrations provide a very important anchor point for studies of how a planet's composition varies with its mass and radius.”

“This discovery supports our understanding of how planets form after the initial core is formed, creating more solid material that is then naturally enriched with heavy metals.”

Team result Published in the journal Nature.

_____

G. Hu othersA hydrogen sulfide and metal-rich atmosphere on a Jupiter-mass exoplanet. NaturePublished online July 8, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07760-y

Source: www.sci.news

Astronomers say that a near, warm Neptune has a sulfurous atmosphere

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The warm Neptunian exoplanet, called GJ 3470b (Gliese 3470b), is 96 light years away and orbits a 2 billion year old red dwarf star in the direction of the constellation Cancer.

Artist's impression of the warm-Neptunian exoplanet GJ 3470b. Image courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Astronomy.

First discovered in 2012, GJ 3470b is the lightest and coolest (over 325 degrees Celsius, or 600 degrees Fahrenheit) exoplanet containing sulfur dioxide.

The compounds are likely a sign of active chemistry taking place in the planet's atmosphere, as radiation from a nearby star explosively breaks down hydrogen sulfide components, which then seek out new molecular partners.

“We never expected to see sulfur dioxide on such a small planet, so finding this new molecule in an unexpected place is exciting because it gives us new ways to understand how these planets formed,” said Professor Thomas Beatty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“And small planets are particularly interesting because their composition depends heavily on how the planet-formation process happened.”

Prof Beatty and his colleagues hope that by observing what exoplanets contain, they can shed light on the principles of planet formation and do just that.

“The discovery of sulphur dioxide on a small planet like GJ 3470b adds another important item to the list of ingredients for planet formation,” Prof Beatty said.

In the case of the GJ 3470b, there are also other interesting features that could help round out that recipe.

The planet orbits the star and passes nearly over the star's pole, meaning that it orbits at a 90 degree angle to the expected orbit of a planet in this system.

The moon is also incredibly close to its star, close enough that light from the star would blow a lot of GJ 3470b's atmosphere out into space.

The team says the planet may have lost around 40% of its mass since it formed.

The misaligned orbit suggests that GJ 3470b was once somewhere else in the system, and at some point, the planet became caught in the gravity of another planet, pulling it into a new orbit and eventually settling in a different neighborhood.

“The migration history that led to this polar orbit and how it has lost so much mass are things we don't typically know about other exoplanet targets that we study,” Prof Beattie said.

“These are important steps in the recipe that created this particular planet, and they help us understand how planets like this one are made.”

“Further analysis of the components remaining in the planet's atmosphere may help us understand why planets like GJ 3470b became so appetizing.”

This month, the authors 244th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society In Madison, Wisconsin.

Source: www.sci.news

What Causes Earth’s Atmosphere to be Dry?

Posted on June 11, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

In recent decades, scientists have observed a decrease in atmospheric moisture leading to drying soils, water-starved plants, withering vegetation, and increased forest fires. This phenomenon is linked to wildfire and extreme drought events globally.Despite these observations, the cause of this air dryness remains unclear, and scientists aim to understand it better to enhance climate models for the future of Earth.

Scientists measure atmospheric dryness by comparing the air’s moisture-holding capacity to the actual moisture it holds, known as the “Insufficient steam pressure” or VPD. High VPD in certain areas can lead to soil dryness and surface heating, potentially causing severe droughts.

An international team of researchers examined VPD patterns in Europe to determine if rising levels are natural or a result of global warming. They investigated the difference between current VPD levels and those before industrialization to understand the impact of human activity on VPD changes.

To assess the historical impact of water on Europe’s climate, researchers analyzed Oxygen Isotopes found in tree rings. These isotopes reflect changes in parameters like rainfall and soil moisture influenced by VPD.

Using a Mass spectrometer, researchers analyzed oxygen isotope ratios in tree rings to track changes over time. By counting rings, they could determine the age of trees and obtain valuable data for their study.

The team gathered tree-ring data from various European sites, using Oxygen Isotope Measurements to reconstruct pre-industrial VPD records. They compared these reconstructions with historical data and Earth System Model simulations to understand the factors influencing VPD changes.

Their analysis revealed increasing VPD levels across all European regions studied, with the most significant dryness observed in southern mountainous areas. Industrial influences were found to be a significant factor in current air drying, particularly during summer.

The researchers noted that recent atmospheric drying in Europe is affecting climate and vegetation, impacting plant moisture exchange and growth. This change in atmospheric moisture levels poses risks to human health and the environment, especially in densely populated areas.

In conclusion, the drying of the atmosphere in Europe is attributed to global warming, leading to adverse effects on vegetation, tree growth, and food supplies. Further research is necessary to mitigate these risks and understand the long-term implications.

Post View: 235

Source: sciworthy.com

Astronomers discover colorful ‘glory’ in the atmosphere of WASP-76b

Posted on April 6, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Using data from ESA's Extraterrestrial Planet Characterization Satellite (CHEOPS) and several other ESA and NASA missions, astronomers detected signs of extraterrestrial planets. Rainbow-like “glory effect” In the atmosphere of super-hot Jupiter WASP-76b. This effect occurs when light is reflected from a cloud composed of a completely homogeneous but so far unknown material. This “glory effect” is common on Earth, but it has only been discovered once on another planet, Venus. If confirmed, this first extrasolar glory would reveal more about the nature of this puzzling exoplanet and hold exciting lessons about how to better understand strange, distant worlds.

Artist's impression of WASP-76b's atmospheric rainbow-like “glory effect.” Image credit: ESA.

WASP-76b is the superhot planet Jupiter located 640 light-years away in the constellation Pisces.

First discovered in 2016, this exoplanet orbits the F-type star WASP-76 once every 1.8 days.

WASP-76b is tidally locked to its star. It takes about the same amount of time to rotate around its axis as it does to orbit its parent star.

On the day side, the planet receives thousands of times more radiation from its star than Earth receives from the Sun.

Temperatures on the dayside can exceed 2,400 degrees Celsius (4,352 degrees Fahrenheit), high enough to vaporize metals. However, nighttime temperatures are much cooler at 1,316 degrees Celsius (2,400 degrees Fahrenheit).

Here, the elements that form Earth's rocks melt and evaporate, condensing on the slightly cooler night side and creating iron clouds that drip rain of molten iron.

But astronomers have been puzzled by the apparent asymmetry, or oddity, of WASP-76b's “limbs,” the outermost regions seen as it passes in front of its host star.

“WASP-76b is being 'inflated' by the intense radiation from its star,” said Dr. Monica Rendl, an astronomer at the University of Geneva.

“That means it's 10% less massive than our cousin Jupiter, but almost twice the size.”

“The important thing to keep in mind is the incredible scale of what we are witnessing,” says ESA astronomer Dr Matthew Standing.

“WASP-76b is a very hot gas giant planet hundreds of light years away, likely raining molten iron. Despite the chaos, we detected potential signs of glory. It seems like it's an incredibly weak signal.''

In this study, the authors analyzed data from a variety of ESA and NASA missions, including CHEOPS, TESS, Hubble, and Spitzer.

CHEOPS intensively monitored WASP-76b as it passed in front of and around a Sun-like star. After making her 23 observations over three years, the data showed a surprising increase in the amount of light emanating from the planet's eastern “terminator,” the boundary where night and day meet. .

This allowed astronomers to disentangle the signal and constrain its origin.

“This is the first time that such a sudden change in the brightness of an exoplanet, its 'phase curve', has been detected,” said Dr. Olivier Demanjon, an astronomer at the Spanish Institute of Astronomical Sciences in Portugal.

“This discovery led to the hypothesis that this unexpected glow may be caused by a strong, locally anisotropic (direction-dependent) reflection, or glow effect.”

“Never before have we seen such colorful concentric rings on an extrasolar object,” said Dr Thomas Wilson, an astronomer at the University of Warwick.

“Therefore, if future studies confirm the glory of this first exoplanet, WASP-76b will be a truly unique object, providing insight into the atmospheres of distant exoplanets and how habitable they may be. It’s a beautiful tool for understanding.”

Confirmation of the glory effect means that the cloud, which is made up of perfectly spherical droplets, has lasted at least three years or is constantly replenished.

For these clouds to persist, the atmospheric temperature must also remain stable over time. This is an interesting and detailed insight into what's going on with WASP-76b.

Importantly, being able to detect such subtle wonders at great distances will teach scientists and engineers how to detect other less visible but important phenomena. For example, sunlight reflecting off liquid lakes and oceans is a requirement for habitability.

“More evidence is needed to say conclusively that this interesting 'extra light' is a rare glory,” said Dr Teresa Luftinger, project scientist for ESA's upcoming Ariel mission.

“Follow-up observations by the NIRSPEC instrument aboard the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope could do just that. Or perhaps ESA’s upcoming Ariel mission will prove its existence.” We may even discover brighter colors shining from other exoplanets.”

a paper The survey results were published in a magazine astronomy and astrophysics.

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ODS demansion other. 2024. Asymmetry in the atmosphere of superhot Jupiter WASP-76b. A&A 684, A27; doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348270

Source: www.sci.news

Three-Carbon Compounds Found in Titan’s Atmosphere

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Tricarbon molecule (C₃) is probably produced in Titan’s upper atmosphere by the reaction of abundant acetylene with atomic carbon.

This view of Titan is one of the last images NASA’s Cassini spacecraft transmitted to Earth before entering the giant planet’s atmosphere. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute.

Of the solar system’s more than 150 known moons, Saturn’s largest moon Titan is the only one with a substantial atmosphere.

And of all the places in the solar system, Titan is the only place other than Earth that is known to have liquid in the form of rivers, lakes, and oceans on its surface.

Titan is larger than Mercury and is the second largest moon in the solar system. Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is only slightly larger (about 2%).

Titan’s atmosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen, like Earth’s, but its surface pressure is 50% higher than Earth’s.

Titan has clouds of liquid hydrocarbons such as methane and ethane, rain, rivers, lakes, and oceans.

“Home to a thick and chemically diverse atmosphere, Titan stands out among the icy moons of the giant planets as one of the most thoroughly studied objects in the solar system,” said Lisboa Observatory and University of Astronomy. said Dr. Rafael Silva. of Lisbon.

“Titan’s atmosphere acts like a planet-sized chemical reactor, producing many complex carbon-based molecules.”

“Of all the atmospheres we know of in the solar system, it is most similar to the atmosphere thought to exist on early Earth.”

“Methane, which is a gas on Earth, provides information about geological and potentially biological processes.”

“This molecule cannot survive for long in the atmospheres of Earth or Titan because it is quickly and irreversibly destroyed by solar radiation.”

“Therefore, methane must be replenished on Titan by geological processes such as underground gas emissions.”

In the study, Dr. Silva and his colleagues UVES High Resolution Visible and Ultraviolet Spectrometer ESO’s Very Large Telescope.

They were able to identify 97 absorption lines for methane and one absorption line for the three-carbon molecule.

“Even in high-resolution spectra, the methane absorption lines are not strong enough for the amount of gas that can exist in a laboratory on Earth,” Dr. Silva said.

“But Titan has an entire atmosphere, and the path that light travels through the atmosphere can span hundreds of kilometers.”

“This allows various bands and lines that have weak signals in labs on Earth to be very obvious on Titan.”

“In our solar system, three-carbon molecules, which appear as bluish luminescence, were previously known only in the material surrounding the cores of comets.”

“The absorption lines in Titan that we have associated with tricarbons, although highly specific for this type of molecule, are small in number and low in intensity, so new observations will be needed in the future to confirm this detection.” will be done.”

“The more we learn about the different molecules involved in the chemical complexity of Titan’s atmosphere, the better we understand the types of chemical evolution that may have enabled or are associated with the origin of life on Earth.” You will be able to do it.”

“Some of the organic matter that contributed to the origin of life on Earth is thought to have been produced in the atmosphere by processes relatively similar to those observed on Titan.”

a paper The survey results were published in a magazine planetary space science.

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Rafael Lianzo Silva other. 2024. Study of Titan’s very high-resolution visible spectrum: Line characterization in visible CH._Four Search for band and C₃. planetary space science 240: 105836; doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2023.105836

Source: www.sci.news

New NASA Satellite Launches to Study Warming Oceans and Atmosphere

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

The newest weather satellite of NASA was launched into orbit on Thursday, providing unprecedented details of the world’s oceans and atmosphere.

SpaceX launched its $948 million Pace satellite before dawn, sending its Falcon rocket south across the Atlantic Ocean to achieve a rare polar orbit.

The satellite will spend at least three years studying the ocean and atmosphere 420 miles (676 kilometers) above the Earth. Two scientific instruments scan the Earth every day. The third instrument takes monthly measurements.

The PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, Marine Ecosystems) satellite will separate from a SpaceX rocket in orbit on Thursday.NASA (via AP)

“It will be an unprecedented view of our home planet,” said project scientist Jeremy Wardell.

The observations will help scientists better forecast hurricanes and other severe weather, better understand how the Earth is changing as temperatures rise, and better predict when harmful algae blooms will occur.

NASA already has more than 20 Earth observation satellites and instruments in orbit. But Pace's findings should provide better insight into how atmospheric aerosols, such as pollutants and volcanic ash, interact with marine life such as algae and plankton.

“The pace will give us another dimension” to what other satellites observe, said Karen St. Germain, NASA's director of Earth Sciences.

PACE (short for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem) is the most advanced mission ever launched to study marine biology.

NASA and SpaceX engineers launched NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystems) spacecraft into SpaceX's Falcon 9 spacecraft on January 30 at the AstroTech Space Operations Facility near Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is encapsulated in the payload fairing. Denny Henry/NASA (via AP)

Current Earth observation satellites can see in seven or eight colors, Werdel said. Pace displays 200 colors, allowing scientists to identify types of algae in the ocean and particles in the air.

Scientists expect to start collecting data within a month or two.

NASA is working with India to develop another advanced Earth observation satellite scheduled to launch this year. The project, named Nisar, will use radar to measure the effects of rising temperatures on the surfaces of glaciers and other melting ice.

NASA's Pace program survived despite efforts by the Trump administration to cancel it.

“It's been a long and strange journey, as they say,” Werdel said before the launch.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

The reason behind the burning up of Hayabusa’s lunar lander in Earth’s atmosphere.

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Launch of the Peregrine Lunar Module on a Vulcan rocket on January 8th

APFootage / Alamy Stock Photo

The mission of the Hayabusa lander is over. The American company that built Astrobotic, a lunar lander whose plans failed, was unable to complete its trip to the moon due to a fuel leak, so it was brought back and burned in Earth's atmosphere.

What was wrong with the Hayabusa lander?

Just seven hours after launching on a Vulcan rocket on January 8, engineers noticed that Peregrine wasn't facing the right direction and its solar panels weren't charging the batteries that power its electronics. Shortly afterward, it was discovered that fuel was leaking from the aircraft. It was eventually determined that the oxidizer tank had ruptured, probably due to a stuck valve, and that the leak had generated a small amount of thrust, causing the probe to change direction. By the time everything was figured out, Peregrine had already lost too much fuel to reach the moon, let alone perform the maneuvers needed to land gently on the moon.

The peregrine falcon was in space for days, but what was it doing all that time?

Astrobotic's engineers were able to correct Peregrine's orientation, and once the solar panels were oriented in the correct direction, the battery was charged. This will allow Peregrine operators to perform a quick test ignition of the main engine and power on the onboard spacecraft, allowing them to better understand the spacecraft's operation in space and determine what went wrong. Helpful. They also remotely switched on some scientific instruments and made measurements of radiation in interplanetary space that could provide useful scientific insights. By operating the spacecraft for several days, Astrobotic will also be able to decide whether to extend its mission in space by changing from its planned moon landing, or continue on its way back to Earth. I was given time to do it.

Why did it have to be brought back to Earth rather than left in space?

Although the peregrine falcon could have survived a little longer in Earth orbit, there were some risks to leaving it there. Eventually, the spacecraft will run out of fuel completely and become essentially a cannonball flying uncontrollably around the Earth. This type of space debris can cause significant damage to operating satellites.a statement The Astrobotic article says: “Ultimately, we have to balance the risk of a damaged spacecraft causing problems with our own desire to extend Peregrine's life, operate the payload, and learn more about the spacecraft. .”

Wouldn't it be dangerous to bring it back to Earth?

It's actually much safer to return the spacecraft to Earth. Satellites are regularly deorbited in this way, usually burning up in the incredible heat they experience as they plummet through the atmosphere. The falcon was also carefully targeted towards the Pacific Ocean just east of Australia to minimize the risk of any surviving debris hitting populated areas.

What about the other things Peregrine was carrying?

In addition to scientific instruments, the spacecraft also carried two controversial payloads sent into space by a company called Celestis, which provides what is called a “commemorative spaceflight.” These two vessels of hers contained cremated human remains. Star Trek Creator Gene Roddenberry and actors James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols. It is unclear whether the capsule survived Earth's atmosphere and ended up in the ocean.

Why do missions to the moon continue to fail?

Indeed, this is the third mission to land on the moon that has failed in the last year, but that's only partially due to the difficulty of sending a probe into space and making a soft landing hundreds of thousands of kilometers away. Lunar landing attempts have also increased significantly, many using new equipment and protocols that have not yet been tested. While there are understandably some growing pains, more moon landings are planned in the future, and Astrobotic executives are already discussing plans to try again.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Hayabusa lunar lander meets fiery fate as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

After more than a week in space, the doomed lunar lander met a violent end Thursday as it burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, ending its mission.

A private spacecraft named Peregrine was designed to travel to the moon and settle on its surface. However, shortly after launching into orbit on January 8, the lander suffered a severe propellant leak, forcing operators to abort the entire mission.

Astrobotic Technology, the Pittsburgh-based company that developed the lander, said Thursday that the limp spacecraft safely burned up in Earth’s atmosphere in a remote stretch of the South Pacific Ocean at about 4:04 p.m. ET. announced.

in Updates posted on XThe company confirmed it had lost contact with the spacecraft just before 4 p.m. ET, suggesting the lander had re-entered the atmosphere, but officials said they were “waiting for independent confirmation from a government agency.” ” he added.

An early failure left the Peregrine lander with no means of reaching the moon. Astrobotic’s team fought for nine days to save the spacecraft and its onboard equipment and extend the remainder of the mission.

Engineers were able to stabilize the spacecraft, but Astrobotic said last week it would not be possible to attempt a controlled landing on the moon.

“We applaud @Astrobotic’s perseverance,” NASA announced Tuesday. Statement posted on X.

The Peregrine mission attracted attention because it was the first American lunar lander launched into space in more than 50 years. If successful, Peregrine would also have become the first commercially developed spacecraft to land on the moon.

Besides NASA, the former Soviet Union, China, and India are the only countries to have successfully made a controlled landing, or “soft landing,” on the moon’s surface. Japan aims to join that elite club on Friday when it attempts to land its Smart Lander for Lunar Exploration (SLIM).

Peregrine’s mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Module Services Program, which was established to encourage private companies to develop new lunar landers and ultimately help NASA bring cargo and scientific equipment to the lunar surface. You can now hire this lander for transport.

Another Houston-based company, Intuitive Machines, plans to launch its own commercially developed lander next month as part of the same NASA effort.

The Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program is part of the agency’s Artemis program, with the goal of returning astronauts to the Moon over the next few years, eventually establishing regular flights to the Moon, and building a lunar base camp. It is said that NASA recently announced the postponement of two upcoming Artemis missions, pushing back a lunar circumnavigation flight that was scheduled to launch later this year to 2025 and pushing back Artemis’s first landing attempt to next year.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Giant cyclone found in the atmosphere of WASP-121b by Hubble

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have detected a giant cyclone and other dynamic weather activity swirling around WASP-121b, an ultra-hot Jovian exoplanet about 881 light-years away in the constellation Papis. Detected.

This artist's illustration shows WASP-121b, an alien world where magnesium and iron gases are being lost from the atmosphere. Image credit: NASA/ESA/J. Olmsted, STScI.

WASP-121b is a gas giant exoplanet that is 1.87 times larger and 1.18 times heavier than Jupiter.

First discovered in 2016, the alien star takes just 1.3 days to orbit its parent star, F6 star WASP-121.

WASP-121b is so close to the star that if it got any closer, the star's gravity would begin to tear it apart.

Astronomers estimate that the planet's temperature is around 2,500 degrees Celsius (4,600 degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to boil some metals.

In the new study, Caltech astronomer Jack Skinner and colleagues analyzed observations of WASP-12 b taken by Hubble in 2016, 2018, and 2019.

Researchers discovered that the planet has a dynamic atmosphere that changes over time.

Using advanced modeling techniques, they demonstrated that these dramatic temporal variations can be explained by weather patterns in the exoplanet's atmosphere.

They found that WASP-121b's atmosphere showed marked differences between observations.

Most dramatically, large temperature differences between the star-facing and dark sides of exoplanets can repeatedly generate and destroy large weather fronts, storms, and massive cyclones. .

The authors also note that there is an apparent misalignment between the hottest region of an exoplanet and the point on the planet closest to its star, as well as variability in the chemical composition of the exoplanet's atmosphere (spectroscopically measurement) was also detected.

They reached these conclusions by using computational models that help explain observed changes in the exoplanet's atmosphere.

“The incredible detail of exoplanet atmosphere simulations allows us to accurately model the climate of superhot planets like WASP-121b,” Dr. Skinner said.

“Now we have made significant progress by combining observational constraints and atmospheric simulations to understand the time-varying weather of these planets.”

“This is a very interesting result as we continue to observe the weather patterns of exoplanets,” said Dr. Quentin Cheniato, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute.

“Studying exoplanet climates is critical to understanding the complexity of exoplanet atmospheres on other worlds, especially in the search for exoplanets with habitable conditions.”

“The assembled dataset represents a significant amount of observation time for a single planet and is currently the only consistent set of such repeated observations.”

“The information we extracted from those observations was used to infer WASP-121b's atmospheric chemistry, temperature, and clouds at different times.”

“This yielded exquisite images of the planet as it changes over time.”

of the team paper will be published in Astrophysical Journal Appendix Series.

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Quentin Changeato other. 2024. Will the atmosphere of superhot Jupiter WASP-121b change? APJS, in press. arXiv: 2401.01465

Source: www.sci.news

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Tag Archives: atmosphere

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What Causes Earth’s Atmosphere to be Dry?

Astronomers discover colorful ‘glory’ in the atmosphere of WASP-76b

Three-Carbon Compounds Found in Titan’s Atmosphere

New NASA Satellite Launches to Study Warming Oceans and Atmosphere

The reason behind the burning up of Hayabusa’s lunar lander in Earth’s atmosphere.

What was wrong with the Hayabusa lander?

The peregrine falcon was in space for days, but what was it doing all that time?

Why did it have to be brought back to Earth rather than left in space?

Wouldn't it be dangerous to bring it back to Earth?

What about the other things Peregrine was carrying?

Why do missions to the moon continue to fail?

Hayabusa lunar lander meets fiery fate as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere

Giant cyclone found in the atmosphere of WASP-121b by Hubble