Researchers have detected a thick atmosphere surrounding a super Earth known as 55 Cancri e, which is twice the size of Earth and located in a nearby solar system. This rocky planet is one of the few outside of our solar system to have a significant atmosphere composed of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, although the exact amounts are unknown. In contrast, Earth’s atmosphere is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other gases.
The discovery of an atmosphere on 55 Cancri e is considered to be strong evidence supporting the existence of one on the planet. This research, published in the journal Nature, suggests that other rocky planets with thick atmospheres, possibly more hospitable, could also exist. Despite being inhospitable to life due to its extreme temperatures, this finding is significant for planetary research.
The super Earth, located 41 light years away, is eight times heavier than Earth and experiences boiling temperatures that reach up to 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Its surface is covered with magma oceans, and it orbits its star so closely that it has permanent day and night sides. By analyzing observations from the Webb Space Telescope, researchers were able to determine the characteristics of the planet’s atmosphere and temperature distribution.
Evidence suggests that gases from the planet’s magma oceans may help maintain its atmosphere. By studying this super Earth, scientists hope to gain insights into the evolution of planets like Earth and Mars, which may have had magma oceans in their early history that have since cooled. This research provides a rare opportunity to better understand planet formation and evolution.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is responsible for the content of this article.