New Research Shows How Clouds Shape the Interiors of sub-Neptunes
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have identified a relationship between the atmospheres and interior compositions of sub-Neptune exoplanets. The study suggests that high-altitude clouds play a critical role in obscuring the chemical makeup of these planets.
Why it matters
Understanding the composition of sub-Neptunes helps scientists refine models of planetary formation and evolution in the universe.
To date, astronomers have confirmed the existence of 6,324 exoplanets in 4,738 star systems, with tens of thousands awaiting confirmation. Sub-Neptunes, a class of planets that lie between Earth and Neptune in mass, are among the most common types in the exoplanet census, accounting for 2,182 confirmed discoveries. And yet, astronomers know very little about this mysterious class of planets, including what they are composed of.
In particular, scientists are interested in their interior composition. They suspect that they could have rocky interiors surrounded by hydrogen-rich atmospheres, or they could be volatile-rich with huge amounts of water and carbon-bearing molecules. Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a team of astronomers from Arizona State University (ASU) discovered an interesting relationship between these planets' atmospheres and the conditions deep in their interiors.
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