Science and Tech

James Webb Space Telescope Reveal: Trappist-1 Exoplanet Has No Earth-Like Atmosphere 

TRAPPIST-1

James Webb Space Telescope found in their recent observation that Trappist –1 planet system has no earth-like atmosphere.  

Astronomers previously thought that Trappist-1 has an earth-like atmosphere. But in their recent findings, the innermost planet Trappist 1-b has no earth-like atmosphere at all. 

The Trappist star system received four-time much starlight as the earth receives from the sun. Many astronomers didn’t expect that previously that it holds an earth-like atmosphere. 

Many space enthusiasts’ hope gets ruined by these new findings of JWST.  

What is Trappist-1 Star System? 

TRAPPIST-1 Star System

TRAPPIST-1 Star System

Trappist – 1-star system consists of seven stars that orbit the M-star. M-star is the red dwarfs that burn hydrogen at their core. 

These seven stars are Trappist- 1b, 1c,1d,1e,1f,1g, and 1h. 

Trappist-1 star is the best choice for exoplanet research, NASA is always hopeful for looking for the earth-like atmosphere there. 

Also Read:Space: Researchers Discover Origin of the Earth’s Volatile Chemicals

James Webb Space Telescope New Findings Revealed that TRAPPIST-1 Stars system Have no Earth-like Atmosphere 

TRAPPIST-1

James Webb Space Telescope findings revealed that Trappist-1b has no earth-like atmosphere. 

Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope mid-infrared instrument (MIRI) to measure the temperature of the planet TRAPPIST 1-b. 

TRAPPIST 1-b has been near its M-Star and that is the reason its temperature is high at 230 degree-Celsius. 

Astrophysicist Thomas Greene in the Space science and Astrobiology Division at NASA’s Ames Research Centre in California said “Some theory groups predicted that the planet would have a dense atmosphere, while others thought it might not, “I was more disappointed than surprised to see it had no atmosphere” 

But astronomers are still hopeful about another planet on the TRAPPIST-1 system. There are at least other three planets like TRAPPIST-1e, 1g, and 1f that have conditions for liquid water on their surface and therefore it has a possibility of life there. 

Astronomers Still Finding That TRAPPIST –1b Still Has Earth-Like Atmosphere 

TRAPPIST-1B

Astrophysicist Greene suggests that they are looking still looking for the atmospheric options in the TRAPPIST-1b, by measuring the temperature of the planet. 

Greene and colleagues used the JWST’s mid-infrared instruments (MIRI), which can observe mid-to-long wavelength radiation, to evaluate the thermal emission of TRAPPIST-1b.  

They are trying to detect the planet’s secondary eclipse, that time it moves behind the stars and then they’ll measure the temperature. 

TRAPPIST-1

Trappist-1b temperature distribution

Greene said – “When the planet is beside the star, the light emitted by both the star and the dayside of the planet reach the telescope, and the system appears brighter. When the planet is behind the star, the light emitted by the planet is blocked and only the starlight reaches the telescope, causing the apparent brightness to decrease. Astronomers can subtract the brightness of the star from the combined brightness of the star and planet to calculate how much-infrared light is coming from the planet’s dayside. This is then used to calculate the dayside temperature.” 

TRAPPIST-1 Eclipse

The temperature distributions of the planet’s astronomers are still findings the answers of atmospheric conditions in the TRAPPIST 1-B. 

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