Jewel Clouds Caused By Extremely Hot Weather On An Exoplanet
Scientists recently found a planet that has ruby and sapphire-like clouds. In their study, the cause for these "jewel clouds" to form is the alien planet's intense weather. Could a too hot temperature really form these minerals?
Researchers from the University of Warwick Astrophysics Group - England, this planet, HAT-P-7b, is the first gas giant planet seen outside the Solar System that has weather. However, its weather is not like that of the Earth. In a Space.com report, the lead author of the study explains how it's like in this newly discovered exoplanet.
HAT-P-7b is around 1,040 light years away from the Earth and about 40 timesw bigger than the largest planet in the Solar System, Jupiter. Unlike Earth and the other main planets, the gas giant orbits its nearby star every 2.2 days. And it is "tidally locked," meaning only one side of it consistently faces the heat of its sun.
As a result, this side of the gas giant receives intense heat from its close and regular proximity to the star. While the other side of the exoplanet is relatively cold.
The study used the help of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to further examine the planet. The researchers found out that the gas giant is being circled by strong winds that are able to form clouds on the cold side, but immediately flowed to the hot part and are eventually faded because of the heat.
The heat from its "dayside" reaches about 2,860 Kelvin of heat, reports CNet. Another point of the study suggests that these clouds were made up of corundum, which makes up minerals like ruby and sapphire. Should this exoplanet really be forming jewels in its clouds, it could be a fascinating destination for private space missions that aim to mine in the universe.
Although there should still be a more in-depth study to be done if this planet can be visited. Meanwhile, the researchers involved in the study believes that this planet is a spectacular case and might have similar other planets outside the Solar System that has normal star orbit and may be able to harbor life.
