Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery by creating the first-ever 3D map of an exoplanet known as WASP-18b. This planet is approximately 400 light-years away from Earth and has about ten times the mass of Jupiter. It orbits its star every 23 hours, which means it experiences extreme temperatures in its atmosphere—nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit!
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists employed a technique called 3D eclipse mapping. This method allows researchers to observe how light changes as WASP-18b passes behind its star. By examining these changes across different wavelengths, they were able to map temperature variations in the planet’s atmosphere.
Ryan Challener, a postdoctoral associate at Cornell and one of the study’s authors, explained, “If you build a map at a wavelength that water absorbs, you can see where water is in the atmosphere. This is crucial for understanding the planet’s climate.”
The resulting map showed a surprising feature: a bright central hotspot surrounded by a cooler region. This uneven heat distribution suggests that winds on WASP-18b don’t effectively move warmth across its atmosphere. Interestingly, the hotspot had lower levels of water vapor than expected. Challener noted that this might indicate that the intense heat is breaking down water molecules—a theory that was previously predicted.
This new mapping technique is revolutionary for exoplanet studies. It enables scientists to gather information on planets that are too faint to observe directly due to the brightness of their host stars. “As we apply this technique to other exoplanets, we’ll be able to understand them better as a group,” said Challener.
This research highlights how advancements in technology, like the James Webb Space Telescope, are transforming our understanding of distant worlds. With ongoing studies, we can anticipate even more intriguing findings that may reshape our view of the universe.
For more insights, you can explore the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy.
