WASP-107b reveals new atmospheric features thanks to Webb Telescope

WASP-107b reveals new atmospheric features thanks to Webb Telescope
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 25, 2024

New findings about the "popcorn planet" WASP-107b have emerged, thanks to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This gas giant, previously noted for its exceptionally low density and puffed-up atmosphere, has provided scientists with even more unexpected details through advanced atmospheric observations.

WASP-107b, a gas planet roughly the size of Jupiter but only one-tenth as massive, has intrigued astronomers for years. The recent observations with JWST have revealed a surprising east-west asymmetry in its atmosphere-a discovery that marks a significant step forward in understanding exoplanetary dynamics.

"Our previous findings showed that WASP-107b is extraordinarily puffed up, almost as if the planet had popped like a kernel of popcorn under its own heat," said Luis Welbanks, a 51 Pegasi b Fellow at Arizona State University. "With JWST, we are getting a clearer picture of what's happening in its atmosphere in three-dimensions, and it turns out there's even more to munch on!"

The study, led by Matthew Murphy, a graduate student at the University of Arizona's Steward Observatory, was published in 'Nature Astronomy'. It follows earlier research from 2024, where scientists identified a hotter-than-expected interior and a more massive core. This new phase of research, however, reveals an asymmetry between the two sides of WASP-107b, possibly tied to different cloud formations or variations in heat transport.

"The source of this asymmetry is intriguing. While our initial analysis suggests that the asymmetries may be due to one limb of the planet being more cloudy than the other, this could also be linked to how heat is transported across the planet's atmosphere," commented Michael Line, Associate Professor at Arizona State University. "It's as if one side of WASP-107b is cooking faster than the other!"

Being tidally locked to its star, WASP-107b experiences constant daylight on one side and perpetual darkness on the other. This condition, along with its low gravity and puffed-up nature, makes it a prime target for atmospheric studies. The team employed transmission spectroscopy to analyze starlight passing through the planet's atmosphere, allowing them to isolate the signals from the eastern and western edges with unprecedented detail.

"The high precision of JWST's instruments is like having a magnifying glass for planets," added Welbanks. "We can now look at specific processes happening on each side of WASP-107b's atmosphere, giving us valuable insights into how climate works in these extreme conditions."

WASP-107b, with atmospheric temperatures nearing 890 degrees Fahrenheit, falls between the cooler planets in our solar system and the hottest known exoplanets, making it a key subject for studying atmospheric behavior across diverse types of exoplanets.

"Traditionally, our observing techniques don't work as well for these intermediate planets, so there's been a lot of exciting open questions that we can finally start to answer," said Murphy. "For example, some of our models told us that a planet like WASP-107b shouldn't have this asymmetry at all - so we're already learning something new."

The team plans to carry out further studies to explore the cause of this atmospheric asymmetry and to deepen their understanding of how exoplanets like WASP-107b maintain their unique structures and climates.

Research Report:Evidence for morning-to-evening limb asymmetry on the cool low-density exoplanet WASP-107 b