Trappist-1 e: Mysterious atmosphere as seen by the James Webb Telescope!

Trappist-1 e: Mysterious atmosphere as seen by the James Webb Telescope!

What is happening in the universe? Current research results on the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e bring a breath of fresh air to astronomy. The red dwarf star Trappist-1, about 40 light-years from our Earth, has seven Earth-sized planets in its orbit, including TRAPPIST-1 e. The planet is particularly exciting because it lies in the habitable zone where liquid water could exist. This is where things get really interesting: Scientists at the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) set out to study TRAPPIST-1 e to find out more about its atmosphere. In fact, during four transits of TRAPPIST-1 e, data were collected with the NIRSpec spectrograph, providing initial results about the atmosphere.

As it turns out, the planet's original atmosphere, which consisted of hydrogen and helium, did not survive. Astronomers estimate the probability that TRAPPIST-1 e developed a secondary atmosphere at about 50%. This could be rich in nitrogen, similar to the atmosphere of Titan, Saturn's moon. Although it is not primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), there is still enough of it to hold water. To verify this, 15 additional observations of TRAPPIST-1 e have already been announced, including transits of TRAPPIST-1 b, a planet that is considered to have no atmosphere, thus simplifying the analysis of TRAPPIST-1 e data.

New insights and techniques

The level of detail in the JWST data is impressive. Néstor Espinoza from the Space Telescope Science Institute highlights that several possible scenarios emerge for the planet's atmosphere and surface. Two scientific papers dealing with the initial results have already been published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The JWST plays a central role in this groundbreaking research, as the team was able to analyze light that penetrates the planet's atmosphere, revealing chemical components.

A special aspect is that TRAPPIST-1 is an active star that has frequent outbursts. This activity may have promoted the erosion of an original hydrogen-helium atmosphere, adding significant complexity to the events surrounding TRAPPIST-1 e. Scientists are also unsure whether the planet was ever able to develop a secondary atmosphere, making the research all the more exciting.

The challenges of research

Researchers have already determined the temperature for TRAPPIST-1 b, the innermost planet in the system. This is around 500 Kelvin (approx. 450 degrees Fahrenheit). TRAPPIST-1 b is also believed to have no significant atmosphere. The measurements were carried out by detecting thermal emissions using the JWST's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Even though TRAPPIST-1 b is not in the habitable zone, the knowledge about this planet is of great value to science. They help gather important information about its neighboring planets and explore the possibility of life.

Overall, it turns out that stars like Trappist-1 are ten times more common in the Milky Way than our Sun and have a higher probability of having Earth-like planets. Through further observations, researchers hope to capture a complete phase curve of TRAPPIST-1 b and potentially reveal even more about the fascinating secrets of this planetary system.

The TRAPPIST-1 e and b studies are part of an international program led by NASA, ESA and CSA and represent a significant step in exoplanet research. Further data are expected that may shed light on fundamental questions about the potential for life in the universe. Stay tuned!

For more information on this exciting topic, visit the articles from larelev.ma, webtelescope.org and nasa.gov.