Webb finds a strange planet that defies explanation
Astronomers have been searching for evidence of life beyond our solar system. This search has led them to discover up to 6,000 exoplanets. But of all the known exoplanets, none of them seem to have the unique characteristics that PSR J2322-2650b has. It is the only known exoplanet similar to a hot Jupiter that orbits a pulsar (a rapidly spinning neutron star).
PSR J2322-2650b’s lemon shape is also one of its bizarre characteristics. This shape is caused by the gravitational pulling action from the pulsar it orbits.
In terms of distance from its host star, PSR J2322-2650b is interestingly close to its pulsar. It is only about one million miles away. To put it in perspective, our Earth is about 100 million miles away from the Sun. The exoplanet’s close distance to its pulsar helps in illuminating it. The radiation from the pulsar hits it intensely.
But what makes PSR J2322-2650b stand out the most is the composition of its atmosphere. Its atmosphere is dominated by helium and molecular carbon. Molecular carbon is rather unusual, especially considering how hot the exoplanet’s temperature is. Its temperature ranges from 1,200 to 3,700 °F. At such temperatures, it is expected that molecular carbon would bind to other types of atoms.
Astronomers have studied the atmospheric chemical composition of approximately 150 planets (within and outside our solar system). Out of that number, PSR J2322-2650b is the only one that has detectable molecular carbon. This strange atmospheric composition has led scientists to wonder how the planet formed. As it stands, the planet seems to rule out every known formation mechanism. The paper on this study was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Source(s)
Add as a preferred