24/7 Space News
EXO WORLDS
Iron winds detected on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-76 b
illustration only
Iron winds detected on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-76 b
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Sep 06, 2024

An international group of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the PlanetS National Centre of Competence in Research, has uncovered the presence of iron winds in the atmosphere of the ultra-hot Jupiter, WASP-76 b. This planet, with temperatures soaring beyond 2000 degrees Celsius, has been a focal point for scientists as they explore the extreme atmospheric conditions found on such worlds. A discovery earlier this year revealed the presence of a "rainbow" in the planet's atmosphere, and now the detection of iron winds on the day side of the planet adds more layers to its complex climatic dynamics. These findings have been published in 'Astronomy and Astrophysics'.

WASP-76 b, first discovered in 2013, has been extensively studied due to its many extreme atmospheric features. Previous research, including studies from the UNIGE team, identified phenomena such as iron rain on its night side, barium in its upper atmosphere, and the appearance of a "rainbow" where its day and night sides meet.

"The work on WASP-76 b shows us just how extreme atmospheric conditions can be on ultra-hot Jupiters," commented David Ehrenreich, an associate professor in the Astronomy Department at the UNIGE Faculty of Science and member of the NCCR PlanetS. Ehrenreich, who co-authored the study, added, "In-depth analysis of this type of planet provides us with valuable information for a better understanding of planetary climates as a whole."

Iron Atom Streams Observed
In this new study, the astronomers focused on the day side of WASP-76 b, where the temperature reaches a blistering 2400 degrees Celsius. By conducting high-spectral resolution observations in visible light, they detected a stream of iron atoms rising from the planet's lower to upper atmospheric layers.

"This is the first time that such detailed optical observations have been made on the day side of this exoplanet, providing key data on its atmospheric structure," explained Ana Rita Costa Silva, a doctoral student at the Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciencias do Espaco (IA), currently visiting the Astronomy Department at UNIGE, and the lead author of the study. "Our observations indicate the presence of powerful iron winds, probably fuelled by a hot spot in the atmosphere."

ESPRESSO Spectrograph Enables Discovery
The discovery was made possible through the use of the ESPRESSO spectrograph, which is celebrated for its precision and stability. The instrument, largely developed by UNIGE, is installed on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, and its high-resolution spectral capabilities allowed the team to identify the chemical signatures of iron moving through the atmosphere of WASP-76 b. This technique, known as high-resolution emission spectroscopy, is a powerful tool for studying exoplanetary atmospheres.

"ESPRESSO's ability to make such precise measurements is crucial," said Christophe Lovis, an associate professor at UNIGE's Astronomy Department and co-author of the study. "This level of precision allows us to explore the dynamic processes in the atmospheres of exoplanets like WASP-76 b with an unprecedented level of detail."

A New Window Into Exoplanetary Climates
The continuing discoveries on WASP-76 b are laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of exoplanetary climates, particularly for gas giants that experience extreme radiation from their host stars. By mapping atmospheric winds and analyzing their chemical compositions, astronomers are gradually developing comprehensive models of these distant planets' atmospheres. The detection of iron winds on WASP-76 b adds essential data for constructing 3D climate models of this exoplanet, which could eventually help predict similar weather patterns on other planets.

Research Report:ESPRESSO reveals blueshifted neutral iron emission lines on the dayside of WASP-76 b

Related Links
University of Geneva
Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
EXO WORLDS
Trinity astrophysicist to study Exoplanet Weather
London, UK (SPX) Sep 06, 2024
Dr. Johanna Vos has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to conduct research on the weather systems of distant extrasolar planets located deep within the galaxy. Her project, titled 'Exometeorology: Probing Extrasolar Atmospheres (Exo-PEA)', aims to investigate the complex atmospheres of extrasolar worlds. Over the last 30 years, astronomers have identified thousands of planets outside our solar system. These planets range from small rocky types to gas giants, ... read more

EXO WORLDS
NASA reviews progress of ACS3 solar sail system in orbit

Beyond Gravity: Precise in-orbit positioning of Europe's new environmental satellite

What's it Like to Spacewalk?

Spacecraft flies closer to Mercury than planned after thruster glitch

EXO WORLDS
Benchmark awarded Air Force Research Lab contract to scale ascent-fueled thrusters

Rocket Lab confirms launch date for second Kineis IoT constellation mission

S. Korea space transport ambitions hopes to challenge SpaceX

Sierra Space completes acoustic testing for Shooting Star cargo module at KSC

EXO WORLDS
Why the Martian polar caps show significant differences

Scientists demonstrate producing fiber materials from simulated Martian soil

China targets Mars sample-return mission by 2028

Hubble and MAVEN collaborate to uncover Mars' water loss

EXO WORLDS
China launches Yaogan 43B remote-sensing satellites from Xichang

Shenzhou-18 Crew Tests Fire Alarms and Conducts Medical Procedures in Space

Astronauts on Tiangong Space Station Complete Fire Safety Drill

Shenzhou XVIII Crew Conducts Emergency Drill on Tiangong Space Station

EXO WORLDS
ATLAS Space Operations secures $15M in investment round led by NewSpace Capital

Iridium introduces advanced Iridium Certus GMDSS for enhanced maritime safety

T2S Solutions expands spaceflight capabilities with Flexitech Aerospace acquisition

AST SpaceMobile confirms upcoming satellite launch and financial update

EXO WORLDS
Old satellite to burn up over Pacific in 'targeted' re-entry first

Bright Ascension and ERETS Forge Partnership to Boost Global Space Debris Solutions

AiRANACULUS Expands NASA Contract for Innovative Space Communications Technology

Poland signs $285 mln air radar deal with Spain's Indra

EXO WORLDS
Iron winds detected on ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-76 b

3 Questions: Evidence for planetary formation through gravitational instability

NASA's carbon nanotube technology aids search for life on exoplanets

Researchers unveil unusual orbital behavior in exoplanet TOI-1408c

EXO WORLDS
Outer Solar System may hold far more objects than previously thought

Juice trajectory reset with historic Lunar-Earth flyby

NASA's Juno Mission Maps Jupiter's Radiation Using Danish Technology

Juice captures striking image of Moon during flyby

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.