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Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b might have a hazy atmosphere
- Exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b from TRAPPIST-1 planetary system might have a hazy carbon dioxide atmosphere
- In a new study of recent Webb data, researchers have shown it to be a possibility
- Alternatively, TRAPPIST-1 b could have no atmosphere, but could be highly geologically active with volcanoes or even tectonic plates
- Previous observations by the Webb Space Telescope suggested that TRAPPIST-1 b did not have an atmosphere
- The planet might have a hazy atmosphere of carbon dioxide or a weathered rocky surface, but no atmosphere
- Mid-Infrared Imager (MIRI) instrument on Webb was used to study TRAPPIST-1 b further
- Astronomers note that two observations made are not enough. Additional observations will be required to determine if TRAPPIST-1 b actually does have an atmosphere
- TRAPPIST-1 is 40 light-years from Earth
- The transit method is considered to be difficult in observing atmospheres of smaller rocky planets like those in the TRAPPIST-1 system
- Red dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1 often have large starspots - like our sun's sunspots - and powerful solar eruptions that make transit observations even more difficult
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