With its enchanting, candy floss-like appearance, the exoplanet WASP-107 b has captured the attention of researchers. Situated 200 light years away from Earth in the Virgo constellation, WASP-107 b is almost as large as Jupiter but has less than one-tenth of its mass, making it one of the least dense exoplanets known.
However, two separate teams of scientists have recently uncovered some unexpected surprises about this celestial body. Utilizing spectral data obtained from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), these teams have discovered that WASP-107 b contains less methane, is hotter, and possesses a larger core than previously believed.
In their analysis, the first research team, led by David Sing from Johns Hopkins University, examined the transmission spectrum of WASP-107 b using JWST’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec). The team found that the planet’s methane levels were a thousand times lower than anticipated. This suggests that as methane rises from the planet’s interior and interacts with other chemicals and starlight in the upper atmosphere, it transforms into different compounds.
The researchers attribute this convective mixing process to the planet’s hot core. Hot gas from deep within WASP-107 b vigorously mixes with cooler layers higher up, leading to the transformation of gases such as methane into other compounds. The NIRSpec data also revealed the presence of sulphur dioxide, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide in the planet’s atmosphere.
This discovery offers scientists the clearest insight yet into the interior of an exoplanet and its atmosphere. By understanding its mass, radius, atmospheric composition, and internal temperature, researchers can begin to piece together the puzzle of WASP-107 b’s interior and estimate the weight of its core.
In a parallel study, Luis Welbanks from Arizona State University (ASU) and his team combined observations from JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera and Mid-Infrared Instrument with data from Hubble’s Wide Field Camera 3. Their findings align with Sing’s study, revealing surprisingly low levels of methane and indicating that WASP-107 b’s interior is significantly hotter than previously thought.
The researchers attribute this higher temperature to tidal heating caused by the planet’s slightly elliptical 5.7-day orbit. The changing gravitational pull distorts the planet, generating heat in the process.
Both studies suggest that WASP-107 b consists of a relatively large core surrounded by a modest amount of hydrogen and helium gas. This gas envelope is inflated by the internal tidal heating. These findings shed light on the planet’s unique structure, which is cooler and more reminiscent of Neptune in terms of mass compared to other low-density exoplanets.
Michael Line from ASU explains, “The Webb data tells us that planets like WASP-107 b didn’t have to form in some odd way with a super small core and a huge gassy envelope. Instead, we can take something more like Neptune, with a lot of rock and not as much gas, just dial up the temperature, and poof it up to look the way it does.”
This newfound knowledge unveils the fascinating secrets of WASP-107 b, providing scientists with valuable insights into the composition and formation of exoplanets beyond our solar system.
FAQs about WASP-107 b:
1. What is WASP-107 b?
WASP-107 b is an exoplanet located 200 light years away from Earth in the Virgo constellation. It is almost as large as Jupiter but has less than one-tenth of its mass, making it one of the least dense exoplanets known.
2. What have recent studies revealed about WASP-107 b?
Recent studies utilizing data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have uncovered some unexpected surprises about WASP-107 b. The studies found that the planet contains less methane, is hotter, and has a larger core than previously believed.
3. What did the first research team discover about WASP-107 b?
The first research team found that the planet’s methane levels were a thousand times lower than anticipated. This suggests that methane transforms into different compounds as it rises from the planet’s interior and interacts with other chemicals and starlight in the upper atmosphere. The team also discovered the presence of sulphur dioxide, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide in the planet’s atmosphere.
4. What is the cause of the convective mixing process in WASP-107 b?
The convective mixing process is attributed to the planet’s hot core. Hot gas from deep within the planet mixes vigorously with cooler layers higher up, leading to the transformation of gases such as methane into other compounds.
5. What did the parallel study reveal about WASP-107 b?
The parallel study aligned with the first research team’s findings, showing low levels of methane and indicating that the planet’s interior is significantly hotter than previously thought. The higher temperature is attributed to tidal heating caused by the planet’s slightly elliptical orbit.
6. What is the structure of WASP-107 b?
Both studies suggest that WASP-107 b consists of a relatively large core surrounded by a modest amount of hydrogen and helium gas. The gas envelope is inflated by internal tidal heating. This structure makes it cooler and more reminiscent of Neptune compared to other low-density exoplanets.
Definitions:
– Exoplanet: A planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system.
– Spectral data: Data obtained by analyzing the interaction of light with matter, providing information about the composition and properties of the matter.
– James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): A space telescope that is set to be launched in 2021 and will provide valuable data on exoplanets.
– Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec): An instrument on the JWST that analyzes the infrared spectrum of celestial objects.
– Tidal heating: The process of generating heat due to the changing gravitational pull on a celestial object, causing distortion.
Suggested related links:
1. NASA Hubble Space Telescope
2. NASA James Webb Space Telescope
3. NASA Exoplanet Exploration