Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have made an exciting discovery in the atmosphere of a distant exoplanet. For the first time, they have detected tiny quartz crystals containing silica, a common mineral found on Earth. The exoplanet, known as WASP-17b, is located 1,300 light-years away and is one of the largest known exoplanets.
The researchers believe that the silica nanoparticles found in the exoplanet’s atmosphere likely originate from high-altitude clouds, similar to how silica appears in beach sands on Earth. The discovery was made using Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument, and the findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Lead study author David Grant, from the University of Bristol, expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating, “We knew from Hubble observations that there must be aerosols — tiny particles making up clouds or haze — in WASP-17 b’s atmosphere, but we didn’t expect them to be made of quartz.”
Silicon and oxygen-rich minerals called silicates are common in our solar system, but the silicate grains detected in exoplanet atmospheres have previously been magnesium-based. The presence of quartz in WASP-17b’s atmosphere provides researchers with insights into the building blocks of larger silicate grains.
The researchers believe that the extreme temperatures and pressure on WASP-17b, which reaches around 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit, create conditions that allow solid crystals to form directly from gas without a liquid phase. The planet is tidally locked to its star, meaning one side always faces the star, leading to searing temperatures. The quartz particles likely form high in the atmosphere and are then moved around by winds at thousands of miles per hour.
The detection of silica in WASP-17b’s atmosphere provides scientists with a better understanding of the planet’s composition and environmental conditions. It helps to paint a broader picture of the atmospheres and weather on planets outside our solar system.
Hot gas giants, also known as Hot Jupiters, like WASP-17b, are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, along with some water vapor and carbon dioxide. The presence of silica in the planet’s atmosphere indicates a more complex composition than previously thought.
Hannah Wakeford, a co-author of the study, underscored the importance of considering the total abundance of oxygen in these gases, including the oxygen locked up in minerals like quartz. She said, “These beautiful silica crystals tell us about the inventory of different materials and how they all come together to shape the environment of this planet.”
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope continues to provide valuable insights into the mysteries of the universe, allowing researchers to study distant exoplanets and expand our knowledge of planetary environments.