NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a striking discovery, detecting tiny quartz crystals in the atmosphere of a searing-hot Jupiter exoplanet, WASP-17 b. While quartz is a common mineral on Earth, finding it in such a context is an extraordinary discovery.
These quartz crystals, each a mere 10 nanometers across, are unlike those found on our planet, as they form directly from gas due to the extreme conditions of the exoplanet's atmosphere, which boasts temperatures of about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
This finding provides critical insights into the composition of exoplanet atmospheres and their atmospheric processes.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Detects Silica in Clouds of WASP-17 b
The detection of silica (SiO2) particles in the high-altitude clouds of WASP-17 b is the first of its kind, thanks to the capabilities of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).
This is a significant advancement, as it challenges previous assumptions about the makeup of exoplanetary clouds. While silicates, compounds abundant in silicon and oxygen, are prevalent in our solar system, the silicate particles identified in exoplanetary atmospheres typically consist of magnesium-rich varieties such as olivine and pyroxene.
This revelation prompts a reevaluation of the comprehension of cloud formation processes on exoplanets. A collaboration between researchers from the University of Bristol, NASA's Ames Research Center, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center led to this groundbreaking revelation. David Grant, a researcher at the University of Bristol, conveyed his enthusiasm for this unforeseen discovery.
Initially anticipating the presence of magnesium silicates, the team encountered quartz crystals instead. Hannah Wakeford, also affiliated with the University of Bristol, underscored the significance of this breakthrough.
She pointed out that these quartz particles likely serve as the building blocks for the larger silicate grains observed on cooler exoplanets and brown dwarfs.
1,275 Brightness Measurements
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detected the WASP-17 system for nearly 10 hours, collating over 1,275 brightness measurements of mid-infrared light.
Through meticulous analysis, the team identified a distinctive feature at 8.6 microns, indicating the presence of quartz crystals. These minute particles play a crucial role in the formation of clouds in exoplanet atmospheres.
While the extent and prevalence of these quartz clouds remain challenging to ascertain, they are likely distributed along the terminator, the boundary between the day and night sides of the planet, according to NASA.
Given the extreme conditions on WASP-17 b, with scorching days and cooler nights, these clouds may undergo rapid circulation at high speeds.
This groundbreaking discovery underscores the James Webb Space Telescope's unprecedented capacity to unravel the mysteries of distant celestial bodies.
By examining the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, researchers are gaining profound insights into the diverse environments beyond our solar system.
WASP-17 b is one of three planets targeted for in-depth investigation by the Webb's Scientist Team's DREAMS initiative, which aims to gather comprehensive data on different classes of exoplanets. The MIRI observations of WASP-17 b were conducted as part of the GTO program 1353.
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