Astronomers Solve Mystery of 'Puffy' Exoplanets Using NASA's Webb Telescope Data

Researchers using the James Webb Space Telescope have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the enigmatic exoplanet WASP-107b, a "warm Neptune" gas giant located approximately 200 light-years from Earth.

WASP-107b has puzzled scientists due to its unexpectedly inflated size, far beyond what its low densities would imply. Despite the identification of thousands of low-density exoplanets, this particular one stood out as it differed from other known planets such as "hot Jupiters" and "hot Neptunes".

Challenging Assumptions

Astronomers had initially assumed that WASP-107b possessed a small rocky core enveloped by a substantial mass of hydrogen and helium, based on its radius, mass, age, and estimated internal temperature. However, the discrepancy between its size and expected composition posed a perplexing challenge to this hypothesis.

Revelation from Observations

The recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, in conjunction with data from the Hubble Space Telescope, provided critical insights. These observations revealed a minimal presence of methane gas in the exoplanet's atmosphere, indicating that its interior is significantly hotter than previously believed.

Leading the new studies on WASP-107b, researchers have put forth the theory that the planet's expanded size and warmer internal temperature can be attributed to a phenomenon known as tidal heating. This theory not only sheds light on the peculiarities of WASP-107b but also has the potential to demystify the expansion of numerous "puffy" low-density planets.

This groundbreaking discovery is anticipated to provide crucial insights into the nature of low-density exoplanets, potentially unraveling a longstanding mystery in exoplanet science. The newfound understanding of WASP-107b's atmosphere holds the promise of illuminating the mechanisms behind the expansion of similar planets.