Astronomers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences examined the atmosphere of the super-hot Jupiter MASCARA-4b, located in
The researchers used ESPRESSO -a high-resolution ultra-stable echelle spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. The results of the analysis of the emission spectrum from the exoplanet made it possible to confirm the existence of magnesium, calcium, chromium and iron in the atmosphere, and also showed several elements that were not observed in previous studies.
The researchers note that barium ions werehave already been recorded on three exoplanets that belong to the type of superhot Jupiters. Probably, the presence of this element is typical for all such exoplanets. At the same time, the presence of an element at a high altitude indicates the presence of unknown dynamics in the atmosphere, which must be described.
Scientists first observed in the spectrum of an exoplanettraces of samarium. This chemical element, with an atomic number of 62, is the heaviest element found in the atmosphere of an alien world. It is also the first element of the lanthanide families found on exoplanets. In addition, rubidium, a lighter alkali metal, was found for the first time on an exoplanet.
MASCARA-4b is a gas giant withequilibrium temperature of 2250 K (1976 °C), revolving around a bright class A star. Its radius is one and a half times greater than that of Jupiter, and its mass is 1.67 masses of the gas giant of the solar system. The planet rotates at a distance of 0.047 AU. from its star (21 times closer than the Earth from the Sun), making a complete revolution in 2.82 days.
Analysis of the composition of the atmosphere of exoplanets helpsscientists to understand how they formed and what conditions are there. The researchers note that additional analysis will be required to determine the proportion of heavy elements in the atmosphere of MASCARA-4b.
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On the cover: an artistic illustration of a superhot Jupiter. Image: NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI)