Observations from the European Space Agency’s Cheops space telescope, or Characterising ExOplanet Satellite, detected a “glory effect” on WASP-76b, an ultra-hot exoplanet 637 light-years from Earth.
Cheops captured data from WASP-76b as the planet passed in front of its star, making 23 observations over three years.
But the glory effect is created as light moves through a narrow opening and bends, creating colorful, patterned rings.
An artist's illustration shows the night-side view of the exoplanet WASP-76b, where iron rains down from the sky.
Lueftinger said she believes that the James Webb Space Telescope or Ariel may be able to help prove the presence of the glory effect on WASP-76b.
Persons:
Cheops, ”, Olivier Demangeon, Wilson, ” Demangeon, Matthew Standing, —, “, Theresa Lueftinger, Lueftinger, James Webb, Ariel
Organizations:
CNN —, WASP, Astrophysics, of Astrophysics, Space Sciences, ESA, Hubble, Spitzer, Telescope, European Space Agency, “, James Webb Space
Locations:
Portugal, Cheops