Confounded! Rainbow-like “colored rings of light” have been found on an exoplanet for the first time

However, observations from ESA's Exoplanet Characterization Satellite (CHEOPS) suggest that there may be “colored light rings” between the star's day and night boundaries.

Co-researcher Dr. Thomas Wilson said: “We have never seen these colorful concentric rings on an exoplanetary object before, so if this is confirmed by future studies, this could make WASP-76b a truly unique object. It allows us to understand the atmospheres of exoplanets.” Remoteness and habitability.

While Dr. Olivier Demanjian from the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Portugal added, “There is a reason no one has seen this glow before.” “Because there must be very strange conditions outside our solar system.” First, you need molecules in a nearby atmosphere—perfectly spherical, uniform, and stable enough to observe for long periods of time. Then, stars near the planet's conjunction should shine directly on it. With the observer facing in the right direction.

The discovery of WASP-76b comes after scientists recorded 23 observations over three years as it passed in front of and around a sun-like star. The data collected shows a sudden increase in the amount of light coming from the star's eastern limb, where day and night meet.

Dr. Demanjian explained that this allowed astronomers to pinpoint the source of the signal.

“This is the first time such a drastic change in the brightness of an exoplanet has been detected. These results led us to hypothesize that this unexpected flare may be due to a strong localized fluorescence reversal.

The next step is usage, he saidJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST) from NASA to officially confirm this effect. 'Colored circles of light' “The confirmation suggests that the temperature of WASP-76b's atmosphere should remain constant over time. This creates clouds made up of perfectly spherical water droplets that are essential for the formation of the colorful circles.

Origin

  • Mirror
  • Image: University of Warwick/SWNS

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