James Webb Space Telescope Detects Quartz Crystals in an Exoplanet's Atmosphere.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected quartz crystals in the atmosphere of an exoplanet, a first-of-its-kind finding that could shed new light on the formation and evolution of these distant worlds.
The exoplanet in question, WASP-17 b, is a hot Jupiter that orbits a star 1,300 light-years from Earth. It is about the size of Jupiter but much hotter, with temperatures reaching up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius).
JWST made the discovery using its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which is sensitive to the infrared light emitted by warm objects. MIRI detected a "bump" in WASP-17 b's spectrum that is characteristic of quartz crystals.
"We were thrilled!" said David Grant, a researcher at the University of Bristol in the UK and lead author of a study on the discovery published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. "Quartz clouds have never been seen before in an exoplanet, and we weren't expecting to find them on WASP-17 b, which is such a hot and extreme planet."
Quartz crystals are made of silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is the same material that makes up sand and glass. On Earth, quartz crystals are formed at high temperatures and pressures, but they can also be formed in cooler environments, such as in the clouds.
The presence of quartz crystals in WASP-17 b's atmosphere suggests that the planet has a complex and dynamic weather system. The crystals are likely formed in the upper atmosphere, where temperatures are cooler and pressures are lower. The crystals then fall through the atmosphere, where they are heated and vaporized. The vapor then condenses back into clouds, which continue to fall and vaporize.
This cycle of condensation and evaporation helps to regulate the temperature of WASP-17 b's atmosphere. It also helps to distribute heat and moisture around the planet, which could affect its weather patterns.
The discovery of quartz crystals in WASP-17 b's atmosphere is an exciting new development in the study of exoplanets. It shows that JWST is capable of detecting complex molecules in the atmospheres of distant worlds, and it opens up new possibilities for studying the formation and evolution of exoplanets.
In addition to studying WASP-17 b, JWST is also scheduled to observe a number of other exoplanets in the coming months and years. Scientists are hopeful that JWST will make many more important discoveries about these distant worlds, including the search for habitable planets that could potentially support life.