Researchers using Webb telescope find "Pink Planet" is surrounded by salty clouds
Summary
Researchers used the James Webb Space Telescope to study a space object called the "Pink Planet" or GJ504b. They found that its atmosphere contains clouds made of salt, which is a new discovery. This object is cooler than typical giant planets and could be a large exoplanet or a small brown dwarf.Key Facts
- The "Pink Planet" GJ504b orbits a star 57 light-years away from Earth.
- GJ504b has an estimated temperature of 550 degrees Fahrenheit, cooler than most giant planets.
- It is about 25 times the mass of Jupiter and 2.5 to 4 billion years old.
- Its atmosphere contains water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and salt clouds.
- Salt clouds form in temperatures too hot for water or ammonia clouds but too cool for silicate clouds.
- The James Webb Space Telescope observed the planet using infrared light, which reveals chemical signs in its atmosphere.
- Previous ground-based observations could not detect these atmospheric details, but Webb made it possible in about two hours.
- This discovery helps scientists study cooler objects with different atmospheric compositions in space.
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