Exoplanet WASP-31b found a substance that is both liquid and gaseous

Research team from the Netherlands Institute for Space Research SRON and the University

Groningen has now been discoveredevidence of the existence on exoplanet WASP-31b of a substance that is in a borderline state: between liquid and gas. On Earth it resembles clouds and rain.

Researchers found evidence in the dataHubble, we are talking about chromium hydride (CrH), which is in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-31b. This is a hot Jupiter with a temperature of about 1,200 °C, which lies in the twilight zone between day and night - this is where starlight passes through the atmosphere to Earth.

Chromium hydride may play a role in shaping the planet's weather system, where clouds and rain may appear. This is the first time chromium hydride has been discovered on hot Jupiter. 

The authors of the work believe that during the day on the planet hydridechromium is in gaseous form and liquid at night. According to theoretical models, large temperature differences create strong winds. Researchers want to confirm with real observations. In addition, they are now looking for chromium hydride on ten more planets.

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