NASA Discovers New Facts about TRAPPIST-1c: A Rocky Exoplanet with a Thin Atmosphere

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has provided new insights into the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c, revealing that its atmosphere is either non-existent or extremely thin, making it inhospitable for life. TRAPPIST-1 c is a rocky planet located about 40 light years away from Earth, orbiting a very cold red dwarf star.

The study, led by Sebastian Zieba, a graduate student at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Germany, aimed to determine whether rocky planets have atmospheres. The findings have significant implications for understanding the potential habitability of exoplanets.

Previous studies could only examine planets with thick, hydrogen-rich atmospheres. However, with the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists can now search for atmospheres dominated by oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. This advancement allows for a more comprehensive analysis of exoplanet systems and their potential to support life similar to Earth.

Using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), the research team compared the brightness of the light emitted by TRAPPIST-1 c as it passed behind its parent star. This analysis enabled them to calculate the amount of mid-infrared light emitted by the planet, which is directly related to its temperature and atmospheric composition.

The observations revealed a lack of carbon dioxide gas, which should absorb light emitted by the planet. This suggests that TRAPPIST-1 c either lacks an atmosphere entirely or has an extremely thin carbon dioxide atmosphere without clouds, thinner than that of Earth or Mars.

In a study published in the journal Nature, astronomers also noted that TRAPPIST-1 c likely formed with relatively little water or other components necessary for habitability. Laura Kreidberg, a co-author of the study from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, expressed amazement at the ability to measure these characteristics.

For decades, scientists have questioned whether rocky planets can sustain atmospheres. The James Webb Space Telescope’s capabilities now allow for a comparison between exoplanet systems and our own, providing unprecedented insights into the potential habitability of distant worlds.

The research conducted on TRAPPIST-1 c highlights the importance of studying exoplanet systems to better understand the conditions necessary for life to thrive. As technology continues to advance, astronomers hope to uncover more secrets about the universe and the possibility of habitable planets beyond our solar system.

Watch the video “Astronomers Repeatedly Get Repeated Radio Signals from Exoplanets” for further insights into the fascinating world of exoplanet research.

How can the James Webb Space Telescope contribute to our understanding of exoplanets and their atmospheres

By other gases, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen. TRAPPIST-1 c was chosen as the target for this study because it is relatively close to Earth and has the potential to harbor an atmosphere.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope’s powerful spectroscopic instruments, the researchers were able to analyze the light passing through TRAPPIST-1 c’s atmosphere. They found that the planet’s atmosphere is either very thin or nonexistent. This discovery suggests that TRAPPIST-1 c may not have the necessary conditions for life as we know it.

The thin or non-existent atmosphere of TRAPPIST-1 c is likely due to the planet’s proximity to its host star. Being located so close to the star, the intense radiation and solar wind from the star may have stripped away the planet’s atmosphere over time. This process is known as atmospheric escape and is common for planets orbiting very close to their stars.

While the lack of atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 c may make it inhospitable for life, the study provides important insights into the potential habitability of other exoplanets. Understanding the conditions necessary for a planet to retain its atmosphere is crucial for identifying potentially habitable worlds beyond our solar system.

The James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2021, will continue to revolutionize our understanding of exoplanets and their atmospheres. With its advanced instruments, scientists will be able to study a wide range of exoplanets, further expanding our knowledge of the diversity of planetary systems in the universe.