Astronomers have discovered that clouds of metal vapor are the reason why the “most reflective” planet earns the title “the largest mirror in the universe.”
According to the scientific “Space” website, the planet called “LTT9779 b” is located about 264 light years from Earth, which is five times larger than it, and reflects about 80% of the light that shines on it from its parent star.
By comparison, Earth reflects only 30% of the sun’s rays, and Venus, the brightest planet in our solar system, reflects only 75%.
The planet’s great reflective ability is due to the dense metal clouds that surround it and “rain droplets of titanium,” according to the site.
The planet was discovered for the first time by a NASA satellite in 2020, but its outer surroundings were not understood until after data sent by a European Space Agency spacecraft.
The surface temperature of the planet is about 2000 degrees Celsius.
The research team believes that the planet “LTT9779 b” obtained its metallic clouds and high albedo when its atmosphere was saturated with silicates and metal vapor, due to the scorching temperatures on the side of the planet that is permanently opposite the sun.
