Overview

• TRAPPIST-1 b, located 40 light-years away, was previously thought to lack an atmosphere based on earlier single-wavelength JWST observations.
• New measurements at two mid-infrared wavelengths suggest two possible scenarios: a geologically active surface or a CO2-rich atmosphere with haze and thermal inversion.
• The planet's surface appears to be composed of young, unweathered material, potentially due to volcanic or tectonic activity, indicating ongoing geological processes.
• An alternative explanation involves a thick atmosphere with haze, similar to Saturn’s moon Titan, but this model raises questions about long-term atmospheric stability near its active red dwarf star.
• Future phase curve measurements and advanced modeling are expected to provide more definitive insights into the planet's heat distribution and atmospheric presence.