Getting a better understanding of what conditions there might be is the next challenge when it comes to finding exoplanets. It is possible to peer into the atmospheres of exoplanets and see what they are made of, which can affect the planet's weather systems.
The heaviest element ever found in an exoplanet atmosphere was discovered by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. The researchers were able to identify the element barium in the atmospheres of the two gas giants.
The surface temperatures on these two planets can go over 1000 degrees Celsius. Iron falls from the sky as rain on one of the planets. The researchers were surprised to find barium high in the atmosphere of these planets.
Toms Azevedo Silva of the Institute de Astrofsica e Cincias do Espao is the lead author of a new book.
The co-author said that heavy elements would fall into the lower layers of the atmosphere.
The researchers don't know what is causing this heavy element to appear in the exoplanet atmospheres, but they have identified it in two different hot Jupiter atmospheres. It will be necessary to find out where this barium came from and how it stays high in the air.
The research is in a journal.
There is a recommended video.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
