Astronomers of the Arizona University presented the most complete review of hot jupiter – the class of planets, which are hot giants, very close to the parent star. According to scientists, the results of scientific work, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, bring the researchers to solve the mystery of these space objects.
Specialists united theoretical modeling with the results of observation of the Hubble Space Telescope, which allowed directly measuring the spectra of the radiation of hot jupiters. Although “Hubble” can not see the hot Jupiter in the light of a nearby star, he is able to identify some of the planet parameters for its contribution to the overall light. Scientists have conducted multiple observations of the same systems in order to understand how the emission spectra changes if the planet is in different places of the orbit, including hidden behind the star.
data allowed scientists to construct individual temperature and pressure profiles for the atmosphere of each of the planets considered. In addition, they analyzed the absorption spectra in the infrared area of the spectrum, which provide information on the presence of certain elements. It turned out that all hot jupiters most likely contain water and carbon monoxide, and differences between the planets are limited only by variations in the relative content of these substances. In addition, observations correspond to theoretical models, which means that many predictions about the nature of the planets were faithful.
Research results will help the study of hot jupiters who have not previously been observed. The Space Telescope James Webb is expected, the launch of which is scheduled for December 18, will allow to receive more detailed information about exoplanets, including hot jupiters.
Hot Jupiters are encountered about each tenth star and are one of the most common types of exoplanet. They have a lot of up to ten masses of Jupiter and are much closer to their star than Mercury to the Sun. Because of this intimacy, they are in tidal capture, that is, always arranged to the luminaries one side, and strongly heated. The temperature of the upper layers of the atmosphere can reach several thousand degrees Celsius, which is sufficient for melting metals.