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Astronomers have challenged traditional ideas about how hot gas giants form after studying the exoplanet WASP-121b with the Gemini South telescope. New data suggests that this "bloated" ultra-hot version of Jupiter may have formed closer to its star than previously thought, contradicting classic models of planet formation, writes Space.
WASP-121b is located 858 light-years from Earth, has 1,2 Jupiter masses, but is almost twice as large. It is so close to its star that it completes an orbit in 1,3 Earth days, and has a constantly hot dayside (up to 2500°C) and a cooler nightside.
The study, conducted using the IGRINS instrument, has provided the first high-precision measurement of the ratio of rocky to icy materials in a planet. WASP-121b was found to contain much more solid rock than expected, suggesting it formed in a hot region where ices could not condense, contradicting conventional models of the formation of gas giants.
"Our measurements indicate the need to revise current models of planet formation", said study co-author Peter Smith.
This discovery could change our understanding of how gas giants form in the universe. The team plans to study other ultra-hot Jupiters using the upgraded IGRINS-2 spectrograph, which will provide more data on exotic exoplanets.
Astronomers have challenged traditional ideas about how hot gas giants form after studying the exoplanet WASP-121b with the Gemini South telescope. New data suggests that this "bloated" ultra-hot version of Jupiter may have formed closer to its star than previously thought, contradicting classic models of planet formation, writes Space.
WASP-121b is located 858 light-years from Earth, has 1,2 Jupiter masses, but is almost twice as large. It is so close to its star that it completes an orbit in 1,3 Earth days, and has a constantly hot dayside (up to 2500°C) and a cooler nightside.
The study, conducted using the IGRINS instrument, has provided the first high-precision measurement of the ratio of rocky to icy materials in a planet. WASP-121b was found to contain much more solid rock than expected, suggesting it formed in a hot region where ices could not condense, contradicting conventional models of the formation of gas giants.
"Our measurements indicate the need to revise current models of planet formation", said study co-author Peter Smith.
This discovery could change our understanding of how gas giants form in the universe. The team plans to study other ultra-hot Jupiters using the upgraded IGRINS-2 spectrograph, which will provide more data on exotic exoplanets.
