Scientists discover new type of planet

20.01.2025/23/30 XNUMX:XNUMX    552

The Webb telescope has discovered a new type of exoplanet — super-Venuses, expanding our understanding of the diversity of cosmic worlds.

The results of the study confirm the existence of unique exoplanets that are significantly different from the planets in our solar system. The so-called "super-Venuses" have a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, making them similar to Venus, but they are larger than Earth and smaller than Neptune. Scientists believe that these objects occupy an intermediate position between terrestrial planets and gas giants, exhibiting unique characteristics.

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The researchers' special attention was drawn to the planet GJ 1214 b, located 48 light-years from Earth. As the authors of the study note, previous models predicted that such planets could be rocky with a hydrogen atmosphere or icy with a dominance of water vapor. However, the Webb telescope confirmed that the atmosphere of GJ 1214 b consists mainly of carbon dioxide. This discovery was made possible thanks to improved instruments that allowed to overcome the difficulties in observation through thick clouds.

The new data was obtained through a combination of observations from the Webb telescope and computer modeling. In the process of analysis, scientists combined old data with new ones, which allowed them to create more accurate models. The best of them showed that planets like GJ 1214 b have a special atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide. This became the basis for the identification of a new type of exoplanet - super-Venus.

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Studying these planets contributes to a better understanding of the formation and evolution of exoplanets. According to scientists, super-Venuses may be one of the most common types of planets in the Universe, making their study extremely important. These objects can reveal unknown mechanisms of planet formation and provide new insights into the chemical and physical processes in exoplanetary systems.

The authors of the discovery note that although the data obtained are promising, further observations are needed to definitively confirm the nature of super-Venuses. New studies, using the Webb telescope and other modern instruments, will allow us to expand models of planet formation and explore their unique atmospheres. As emphasized in the articles published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, these discoveries could significantly change our understanding of the diversity of worlds in space.





cikavosti.com

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