Particle.news
Download on the App Store
5 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Webb Telescope Reveals Complex Atmosphere of Starless Super-Jupiter SIMP 0136

New observations show intricate cloud layers, temperature variations, and carbon chemistry in the atmosphere of the free-floating planetary-mass object.

This artist’s concept shows what the isolated planetary-mass object SIMP 0136 could look like based on recent observations from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and previous observations from Hubble, Spitzer, and numerous ground-based telescopes. Researchers used Webb’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) to measure subtle changes in the brightness of infrared light as the object completed two 2.4-hour rotations. By analyzing the change in brightness of different wavelengths over time, they were able to detect variability in cloud cover at different depths, temperature variations in the upper atmosphere, and changes in carbon chemistry as different sides of the object rotated in and out of view. This illustration is based on Webb’s spectroscopic observations. Webb has not captured a direct image of the object. image: ©NASA, ESA, CSA, and Joseph Olmsted (STScI)
Image
An artist's conception of the free-floating object SIMP 0136.

Overview

  • NASA's James Webb Space Telescope studied SIMP 0136, an isolated planetary-mass object 20 light-years from Earth, using advanced infrared spectroscopy over two rotation periods.
  • The observations revealed a dynamic atmosphere with patchy iron and silicate clouds, high-altitude temperature fluctuations, and variations in carbon chemistry.
  • SIMP 0136's rapid 2.4-hour rotation and lack of a host star make it an ideal subject for detailed atmospheric analysis without interference from stellar light.
  • The findings highlight the three-dimensional complexity of gas giant atmospheres, offering insights relevant to future exoplanet imaging missions like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope set to launch in 2027.
  • Researchers noted that atmospheric variability in objects like SIMP 0136 could challenge single-point measurements of exoplanets, emphasizing the need for multi-dimensional analysis.