This artist’s conception portrays the potential appearance of TRAPPIST-1 c, a scorching hot rocky exoplanet, based on the latest research findings. TRAPPIST-1 c is the second planet among the seven known planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system. It maintains an orbit around its star at a distance of 0.016 AU, which is equivalent to approximately 1.5 million miles. Remarkably, it completes one revolution in just 2.42 Earth-days. Although TRAPPIST-1 c is slightly larger than Earth, its comparable density suggests a rocky composition. Using advanced technology, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has successfully measured the 15-micron mid-infrared radiation emitted by TRAPPIST-1 c, providing valuable insights into its surface and atmosphere. The findings suggest that the planet might possess a scanty carbon dioxide atmosphere or no atmosphere at all. In the backdrop, we see TRAPPIST-1 b, the innermost planet in the system, which also lacks a substantial atmosphere. TRAPPIST-1, the star itself, is classified as an ultracool red dwarf (M dwarf). It has a relatively low temperature of 2,550 Kelvin, which is about 4,150 degrees Fahrenheit, and its mass is merely 0.09 times that of the sun. The illustration incorporates data collected by Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) in addition to previous observations from ground- and space-based telescopes. It is important to note that Webb has not yet captured direct images of the planet itself.
Infrared measurements conducted by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have shed light on the nature of TRAPPIST-1 c, challenging previous assumptions that it resembles Venus. TRAPPIST-1 c, located 40 light-years away from us and orbiting a red dwarf star, has been characterized as the coolest rocky exoplanet based on its dayside temperature, which registers at approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this latest discovery disappoints those hoping for a direct parallel to our own solar system. Despite TRAPPIST-1 c sharing similar size, mass, and radiation levels with Venus, it appears unlikely to possess a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere. This raises questions about the planet’s capacity for sustaining water, potentially influencing the system as a whole. The scientific community seeks to understand whether planetary atmospheres can withstand the harsh environments surrounding red dwarf stars, which are among the most prevalent stellar types in the galaxy. Collaborating international researchers employed NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to measure the heat energy radiating from TRAPPIST-1 c, determining that its atmosphere, if present, is extremely tenuous. Webb’s precision in these measurements demonstrates its effectiveness in assessing rocky exoplanets similar in size and temperature to those within our solar system. This finding represents a notable milestone in uncovering the capacity of planets orbiting small red dwarfs, capable of supporting life as we know it, to maintain atmospheres. Sebastian Zieba, a graduate student from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, highlights the importance of investigating rocky planets’ atmospheric compositions beyond those rich in hydrogen, emphasizing the significance of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide-dominated compositions. Highlighting the similarities, Zieba explains that TRAPPIST-1 c closely resembles Venus in size and radiation exposure, sparking the initial belief that it hosts a dense carbon dioxide atmosphere. The TRAPPIST-1 system, comprising seven rocky planets orbiting an ultracool red dwarf star, holds immense potential for comparative planetology. Nonetheless, uncertainties regarding similar atmospheres between these planets and the inner planets of our solar system persist. Young M dwarf stars, like TRAPPIST-1, emit intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation during their initial billion years, posing a threat to developing planetary atmospheres. In addition, the availability of water, carbon dioxide, and other volatiles during the planets’ formation remains uncertain. To address these unknowns, the research team utilized Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to observe the TRAPPIST-1 system during four instances when the planet passed behind its star, causing a secondary eclipse. By comparing the brightness during the secondary eclipse (representing starlight only) with the brightness when the planet is beside the star (representing combined star and planet light), the team could calculate the amount of mid-infrared light emitted by the planet’s dayside at a wavelength of 15 microns. This method aligns with a previous study’s use of the same technique to determine that TRAPPIST-1 b, the innermost planet in the system, lacks an atmosphere. The amount of mid-infrared light emitted by a planet correlates directly with its temperature, which ambiance influences. The absorption of 15-micron light by carbon dioxide molecules causes the planet to appear dimmer at that wavelength. Nevertheless, the presence of clouds can reflect light, disguising the carbon dioxide presence and resulting in a brighter appearance. Furthermore, any substantial atmosphere, regardless of composition, redistributes heat from the dayside to the nightside, thereby lowering the temperature of the dayside compared to a planet without an atmosphere. Given TRAPPIST-1 c’s close proximity to its star—approximately 1/50th of the distance between Venus and the sun—it likely experiences tidal locking, ensuring one side perpetually faces daylight while the other remains in darkness. Although these initial measurements do not provide conclusive evidence about TRAPPIST-1 c’s characteristics, they help narrow down the possibilities. Zieba suggests potential scenarios, including a barren rocky planet devoid of an atmosphere or one with an extremely thin carbon dioxide atmosphere lacking clouds. If the planet possessed a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere, the secondary eclipse would be shallow or undetectable due to the effective absorption of all 15-micron light. Consequently, it appears unlikely that TRAPPIST-1 c resembles Venus with its thick carbon dioxide atmosphere and sulfuric acid clouds. Additionally, the absence of a dense atmosphere suggests that the planet likely formed with minimal water content. This raises questions about the cooler TRAPPIST-1 planets and whether they too formed under similar circumstances, potentially rendering them devoid of water and other components fundamental for habitability. The sensitivity required to differentiate between various atmospheric possibilities on such a distant, small planet is truly remarkable. Webb captured a mere 0.04 percent decrease in brightness during the secondary eclipse, akin to identifying four out of 10,000 tiny light bulbs that have gone out. Kreidberg notes the significance of these measurements, stating that they provide answers to longstanding inquiries about the ability of rocky planets to maintain atmospheres. Webb’s capabilities foster an unprecedented opportunity to compare exoplanet systems with our own solar system, transcending previous limitations. This research comprises part of Webb’s General Observers (GO) program 2304, which aims to comprehensively investigate the TRAPPIST-1 system. In the upcoming year, researchers will conduct further assessments to study the complete orbits of TRAPPIST-1 b and TRAPPIST-1 c. These observations will reveal the temperature variations between the planets’ day and night sides, further elucidating the behavior of their atmospheres. The research findings have been published in Nature.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
