24/7 Space News
EXO WORLDS
Evidence of atmosphere discovered on rocky exoplanet 55 Cancri e
illustration only
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
Evidence of atmosphere discovered on rocky exoplanet 55 Cancri e
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 10, 2024

A collaborative study involving multiple research institutions including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of New Mexico, recently published in Nature, reveals that the exoplanet 55 Cancri e may possess an atmosphere-a surprising discovery given its harsh conditions.

The exoplanet, situated just 41 light years away, orbits its sun-like star at a close proximity that results in extreme temperatures. Its unique orbit, completing a full cycle in less than a day, ensures one side of the planet is always exposed to daylight while the other remains in constant night.

"The discovery of an atmosphere on 55 Cancri e is the clearest piece of information we have obtained so far," said UNM Assistant Professor Diana Dragomir, who has been closely studying the exoplanet since her doctoral thesis.

The presence of the atmosphere is attributed to volcanic activity on the planet, which likely contributes to maintaining a secondary atmosphere through continuous emissions of volcanic gases. This recent insight into 55 Cancri e's atmosphere was enabled by the James Webb Space Telescope, which provided the high-resolution images necessary for this level of analysis.

The research suggests the atmosphere could be composed of vaporized rock and gases such as carbon monoxide and dioxide. "This study is one of the first of its kind to utilize Webb telescope data for exoplanet atmosphere analysis," noted Michael Bess, a recent graduate who collaborated on the project.

While the planet is too hostile for life as we know it, the discovery advances our understanding of planetary formation and atmosphere retention under extreme conditions.

Further investigations are required to confirm these findings and to explore other characteristics of 55 Cancri e, potentially unlocking more secrets of this intriguing exoplanet. "The ability to study such distant rocky planets in detail is a testament to the advances in our astronomical technologies," Dragomir added.

Research Report:A secondary atmosphere on the rocky Exoplanet 55 Cancri e

Related Links
University of New Mexico
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
A perfect tidal storm: HD 104067 planetary architecture creating an incandescent world
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 10, 2024
In an eye-opening revelation, University of California - Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane was taken aback by the extreme conditions of a newly studied planet. Initial disbelief prompted him to reevaluate his data concerning the fiery world. Kane discovered that the planet, situated in a distant star system, is so heavily dotted with active volcanoes that it appears as a luminous red orb when observed from afar. "It was one of those discovery moments that you think, 'wow, it's amazing this can ... read more

EXO WORLDS
NASA names David Salvagnini as chief artificial intelligence officer

Voyager Space to Develop New Airlock Concept for Mars Transit

ISS National Lab offers up to $750,000 for technology development in space

New Shepard's NS-25 crewed mission set for May 19 liftoff

EXO WORLDS
Boeing Starliner launch delayed to Tuesday due to helium leak

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida

First crewed flight of Boeing spacecraft delayed again

Maritime Launch Secures Conditional $12.9M Term Sheet from Canadian Government

EXO WORLDS
Tracing organic matter origins in Martian sediments

NASA, ESA will search for 'signs of life' on Mars

Mars agriculture simulations show promise and challenges

Manganese discovery on Mars suggests ancient Earth-like conditions

EXO WORLDS
China sends experimental satellite into orbit with Long March 4C rocket

International Support for China's Chang'e-6 Lunar Mission

Shenzhou XVII astronauts safely back from Tiangong space station

Shenzhou XVIII crew takes command at Tiangong space station

EXO WORLDS
Future spacecraft control centre unveiled by ESA

Sidus Space activates LizzieSat-1 payload after commissioning

Iridium-Connected Drones Receive FAA BVLOS Waiver

ATT and AST SpaceMobile Sign Agreement for Satellite Broadband Network

EXO WORLDS
Huge Survey vs. Tiny Space Junk

Transforming iron-based alloys into advanced thermoelectric materials with brief heat treatment

Mu Space Secures Key Thai Government Approvals to Enhance Space Tech and Smart Electronics

Where is the Best Place to Buy Used Books?

EXO WORLDS
Newly discovered Earth-sized planet may lack an atmosphere

Astronomers spot a giant planet that is as light as cotton candy

A perfect tidal storm: HD 104067 planetary architecture creating an incandescent world

Earth-sized planet discovered orbiting ultra-cool red dwarf star

EXO WORLDS
NASA's Juno captures detailed images of Europa's surface

UAF scientist clarifies Jupiter's magnetospheric dynamics with new data

Webb telescope details weather patterns on distant exoplanet

Juno mission reveals volcanic landscapes on Io

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.