June 21, 2023

Artist's concept of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c with its star in the background (Image NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI). Science: Sebastian Zieba (MPI-A), Laura Kreidberg (MPI-A))

An article published in the journal “Nature” reports a study on the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 c which indicates that its atmosphere is very thin or non-existent. A team of researchers used the James Webb space telescope to examine one of the seven planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system and the results allow to rule out the hypothesis that it’s similar to Venus. Thermal emissions indicate a temperature on its surface’s day-side of about 107° Celsius. According to the researchers, this indicates that this exoplanet may have formed with little water.