A super Earth planet named 55 Cancri e, located in a nearby solar system, has been discovered to have a thick atmosphere. This rocky planet, twice the size of Earth, is composed primarily of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, although the exact amounts are unknown. In contrast, Earth’s atmosphere consists of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other gases.
Researchers from the University of Kansas have published a study in Nature that provides strong evidence for the existence of an atmosphere on this super Earth. The planet’s boiling temperatures reach up to 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit, making it unlikely to support life. However, its discovery offers hope for the existence of other rocky planets with thick atmospheres that may be more habitable.
The Webb Space Telescope was used to study observations of this super Earth. Researchers determined its temperature and analyzed how heat was distributed evenly across its surface – a characteristic associated with atmospheres. The gases emitted from the planet’s magma oceans could be crucial in maintaining its atmosphere. Further investigation into this super Earth may offer insights into the early evolution of Earth and Mars, both of which may have had magma oceans that have since cooled. Renyu Hu, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory involved in the research, describes this discovery as a rare window into understanding the early phases of planet evolution.
