In a nearby solar system, scientists have discovered a super Earth that is twice the size of Earth with a significant atmosphere composed of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. This rocky planet, known as 55 Cancri e, is one of the few outside our solar system to have an atmosphere with these gases.
Researchers from around the world collaborated on this project, and their findings were published in the journal Nature. According to Ian Crossfield, an astronomer at the University of Kansas who was not part of the research, this discovery provides strong evidence that 55 Cancri e has an atmosphere.
The composition of gases on this planet remains unclear, unlike Earth’s atmosphere which consists of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other gases. Despite its boiling temperatures reaching up to 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit (2,300 degrees Celsius), scientists believe that studying this super Earth could provide valuable insights into the evolution of planets like Earth and Mars. By observing the distribution of heat across its surface and analyzing gases from its magma oceans, researchers hope to uncover clues about planetary evolution in early stages.
Using data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, researchers were able to differentiate between the light emitted by the planet and its star, ultimately determining its temperature. With its close proximity to its star and magma oceans, 55 Cancri e offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary atmospheres evolve over time.
This groundbreaking exploration of a super Earth like 55 Cancri e provides valuable insights into the potential habitability of other rocky planets with thick atmospheres. Planetary scientist Renyu Hu from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory points out that studying this phase of planet evolution could provide valuable information about how planets like Earth and Mars may have evolved with magma oceans that have since cooled.
Overall, this discovery sheds light on the existence of rocky planets with thick atmospheres that might be more conducive to hosting life. Further research into 55 Cancri e could provide us with more information about how these planets form and evolve over time.
In conclusion, 55 Cancri e is a fascinating example
