TRAPPIST-1 b is one of seven rocky planets orbiting the star TRAPPIST-1, located 40 light-years away. The planetary system is unique because it allows astronomers to study seven Earth-like planets from relatively close range, with three of them in the so-called habitable zone. This is the area in a planetary system where a planet could have liquid water on the surface. To date, 10 research programs have targeted this system with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for 290 hours.
  • UraniumBlazer@lemm.eeEnglish
    3·
    6 days ago

    Summary from what I understood:

    • 50/50 between has atmosphere or has not atmosphere.
    • It’s very hard to make such measurements.
    • Either it doesn’t have an atmosphere, or it has a thick, CO2 rich atmosphere.
    • They’re trying to measure heat distribution on the surface of the planet to confirm this.
    • Also, the surface of the planet is very new (approx 1000 years old). This could mean a lot of volcanic activity.