New Study Uses Telescopes to Decode Signals from Fiery ‘Hell Planet’ 55 Cancri e
Scientists have been studying the signals from the mysterious planet 55 Cancri e for almost twenty years. Located nearly 40 light years away, this super-Earth has been nicknamed the “hell planet” due to its extreme temperatures reaching above 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit on its daylight side.
Researchers are now hopeful that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will help them uncover the secrets of 55 Cancri e’s atmosphere. By analyzing the small eclipses and halos of light from the planet’s parent star, Copernicus, as they pass through the planet’s atmosphere, scientists have developed a new theory about its evaporating and regenerating atmosphere.
The new prediction is that the planet has a thin, ever-changing atmosphere that is constantly being released by its volcanic activity. The planet’s turbulent, volcanic nature, coupled with its quick 17-hour orbit around its host star, suggests the presence of volcanoes, flowing lava, and high-speed winds carrying storms of “raining” rock.
Even on its cooler night side, temperatures on 55 Cancri e remain scorching at around 2,060 degrees Fahrenheit, making it highly inhospitable for any form of life.
The study, which utilized visible and infrared light from three space-based telescopes, suggests that the planet’s volcanoes regularly release hot gas, creating new layers of atmosphere. However, the planet’s harsh radiation and solar winds strip away much of this atmosphere shortly after it is released.
Contrary to previous theories, which suggested that the planet would become a “bald rock” without any atmosphere, the new study proposes the existence of a thin, ever-replenishing “secondary atmosphere.” This atmosphere can be observed through infrared heat signatures.
Astrophysicist Kevin Heng, the author of the study, has detected evidence from three orbital telescopes, including the Spitzer Space Telescope and the CHEOPS space telescope, supporting the existence of this thin atmosphere. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide were found to be more likely gases present in the atmosphere compared to methane.
Heng’s research, which has been accepted by the Astrophysical Journal Letters, is waiting for peer review. His hypothesis challenges the previous assumption that the planet only emits infrared light when its atmosphere is absent. Instead, Heng suggests that some amount of atmosphere always remains, which can be observed through infrared light.
Scientists are hopeful that the upcoming observations by the JWST will provide more insights into the changes in the infrared and visible light emitted by 55 Cancri e. The close proximity of the planet to its host star, leading to quick orbits and frequent transits, provides ample opportunities for data collection.
The JWST may potentially measure the atmospheric temperature, surface pressure, and surface temperature of the “hell planet.” These findings could shed further light on the volatile nature of 55 Cancri e and its ever-evolving atmosphere.