Astronomers have studied the infrared radiation of the planet GJ 1214b. This was reported by the University of Maryland.
GJ 1214b is an exoplanet located 40 light-years from Earth. Neptune belongs to the subclass and is hampered by a thick layer of haze that blocks light and therefore observations with most telescopes.
Now astronomers to manage Observations of this planet with the James Webb Infrared Telescope. This was the first time astronomers measured the radiation emitted by a sub-Neptune. Although GJ 1214b is too hot for life, the researchers found that its atmosphere likely contains water vapor – perhaps even a significant amount – and is mostly composed of molecules heavier than hydrogen. The observations took more than 40 hours, during which time the planet managed to complete its orbit around the star. During this cycle the flow of heat from one end of the planet to the other changes, and the nature of these changes can determine the properties of the atmosphere.
“James Webb works at longer wavelengths than previous observatories, which allows us to access the heat emitted by the planet and build a temperature map on it,” the scientists summarize.
Additionally, an unexpected discovery was made: the planet is not as hot as expected, which means it (its upper atmosphere) is highly reflective.
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