James Webb Telescope Finds Atmosphere on Exoplanet TOI-561 b
James Webb Telescope Finds Atmosphere on Exoplanet TOI-561 b
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a groundbreaking discovery: the exoplanet TOI-561 b possesses a thick atmosphere, defying traditional scientific models.
Usually, a "super-Earth" this close to its star would lose its gaseous envelope due to intense radiation.
However, TOI-561 b, which orbits its star in under 11 hours, retains a volatile-rich blanket.
While a bare, rocky planet should reach 2,700°C, TOI-561 b remains at a cooler 1,800°C.
Experts describe the world as a "wet lava ball" with a global magma ocean covered by gases like water vapor and carbon dioxide.
It provides a vital template for astronomers searching for atmospheric signatures on other planets across the galaxy.
