Jaw-Dropping Discovery: Exoplanet's Atmosphere Reveals Mesmerizing Swirls of Quartz Crystals!
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected silica-based quartz crystals in the atmosphere of the hot exoplanet WASP-17b, shedding light on its composition and providing insight into the formation of planetary systems
Join CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter to delve into the mysteries of the universe through captivating updates on groundbreaking discoveries, remarkable scientific progress, and much more. Recently, utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers made an unprecedented breakthrough by identifying minuscule quartz crystals containing silica - a mineral commonly found on our planet - within the scorching atmosphere of an exoplanet.
Researchers believe that the nanoparticles of silica, commonly found in beach sands on Earth and used to make glass, are likely present in the clouds of WASP-17b. This exoplanet, first observed in 2009, is a gas giant with a volume over seven times that of Jupiter, making it one of the largest known exoplanets to astronomers.
An artist's concept depicts what the exoplanet WASP-17b could look like. The hot gas giant has a thick, extended atmosphere, making it a "puffy" exoplanet.
The quartz nanoparticles in high-altitude clouds were detected by the researchers using Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument, as stated in a study published on Monday in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
"We were thrilled," said David Grant, the lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Bristol, in a statement. "Hubble observations had led us to believe that there were aerosols, tiny particles, forming clouds or haze in the atmosphere of WASP-17 b. However, we were not expecting these aerosols to be composed of quartz."
Silicates, minerals abundant in silicon and oxygen, are found in abundance on Earth, the moon, and other rocky celestial bodies in our solar system. Silicates are also highly prevalent in the Milky Way galaxy. However, the silicate grains detected in exoplanet atmospheres have predominantly been magnesium-based rather than quartz, which is composed of pure silica.
"We had anticipated the presence of magnesium silicates," stated Hannah Wakeford, a senior lecturer in astrophysics at the University of Bristol and coauthor of the study. "However, our observations revealed something different - the probable precursors to magnesium silicates, which are the minuscule initial particles essential for the formation of the larger silicate grains found in colder exoplanets and brown dwarfs."
This discovery has the potential to enhance scientists' understanding of the composition of planetary environments that starkly differ from those found on Earth.
The observations by astronomers primarily centered around Wasp-17b, an exoplanet that orbits its star in a span of 3.7 Earth days. The main focus was on studying the exoplanet as it transited in front of its star, allowing astronomers to analyze the starlight that passed through its atmosphere.
After 10 hours of observation, the team made a significant finding indicating the existence of quartz nanoparticles.
According to the research, these quartz crystals are probably hexagonal in shape, resembling the substantially larger geodes seen on Earth. However, they are incredibly minuscule, measuring only one-millionth of a centimeter. In fact, the researchers estimated that 10,000 of these grains could fit alongside each other on a single strand of human hair. Furthermore, it was determined that these particles originate from the atmosphere.
Webb detected quartz crystals in the atmosphere of WASP-17b.
Grant stated that WASP-17 b has an incredibly high temperature, reaching around 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius). Additionally, in the upper atmosphere, where the quartz crystals originate, the pressure is only about one-thousandth of what we encounter on Earth's surface. These extreme conditions allow for the direct formation of solid crystals from gas, bypassing the liquid phase.
The planet is permanently turned towards its star, resulting in scorching temperatures on one side, whereas the other side remains in constant darkness and is relatively cooler. Although the planet's clouds can move across its surface, they are expected to evaporate on the excessively hot side, potentially causing the swirling motion of quartz particles.
Grant suggested that these minuscule glassy particles might be swiftly carried by winds, reaching speeds of thousands of miles per hour.
Webb's sensitive detections are providing researchers with a deeper comprehension of the atmospheres, environmental conditions, and weather on exoplanets. Hot gas giants, alternatively referred to as Hot Jupiters, such as WASP-17b, primarily consist of hydrogen and helium, accompanied by traces of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and silica. This detection of silica within the planet's atmosphere enhances scientists' understanding of WASP-17b's overall composition.
According to Wakeford, if we solely account for the oxygen present in these gases and disregard the oxygen confined in minerals such as quartz, our estimate of the overall abundance will be significantly underestimated. The exquisite silica crystals provide insights into the assortment of materials and their collective impact on shaping the planet's environment.
