Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) report finding salty clouds in the atmosphere of the exoplanet nicknamed the “Pink Planet.” Multiple outlets describe the discovery as unexpected because the planet has long been difficult to analyze in detail. The object is extremely cold and is described as one of the coldest known planetary-mass companions ever directly imaged. For more than a decade, researchers have struggled to determine what creates its characteristic rosy haze, partly because it is faint and hard to separate from background light from Earth-based observations. The new JWST data show evidence of atmospheric chemistry consistent with salty material, including clouds unlike those previously seen on such targets. Scientists frame the result as a breakthrough enabled by JWST’s improved ability to capture and interpret the planet’s light, allowing them to detect signatures of exotic atmospheric constituents. The findings, as summarized by the outlets, emphasize both the planet’s unusual environment and the role of JWST observations in finally revealing what lies behind its distinctive coloration.
James Webb Space Telescope finds salty clouds around “Pink Planet”
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) report finding salty clouds in the atmosphere of the exoplanet nicknamed the “Pink Planet.” Multiple outlets describe the discovery as unexpecte...
- JWST observations detect salty clouds in the atmosphere of the exoplanet known as the “Pink Planet.”
- The planet is described as extremely cold and among the coldest known planetary-mass companions directly imaged.
- Researchers previously had difficulty studying the object, largely due to its faintness and challenges separating its light.
- JWST’s measurements reveal atmospheric chemistry consistent with unusual cloud composition.
- The planet’s long-standing rosy haze has remained a focus of astronomers until these new findings.
Researchers using the Webb Space Telescope discovered salty clouds surrounding a "Pink Plane." CBS News' Kelly O'Grady has more.
2 months agoUsing the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered that one of the coldest exoplanets ever discovered, the so-called Pink Planet, harbors a salty surprise.
2 months agoJames Webb Space Telescope finds a salty surprise on famous 'Pink Planet' SpaceSalty clouds discovered on pink puffball planet YahooColdest Alien World We Have Ever Photographed Has Skies Full of Salt ScienceBlog.comScientists discover salt clouds swirling around 'pink planet' Courthouse NewsFamous 'Pink Planet' harbors a salty surprise Phys.org
2 months agoNorthwestern University-led astronomers have discovered salty skies surrounding the universe's famous "Pink Planet." For more than a decade, the ancient, rosy-hazed world kept astronomers guessing. One of the coldest known planetary-mass companions ever directly imaged, the elusive object is too faint for astronomers to dissect its light from Earth. But new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) reveal an atmosphere filled with exotic chemistry—and salty clouds unlike anything seen before.
2 months agoThe pink planet has fascinated astronomers for years. The James Webb Space Telescope finally got a good look and found something no one expected: clouds made of salt.
2 months ago
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