Artist’s Impression of GJ 1132 b
This video is an artist’s impression of the exoplanet GJ 1132 b.
For the first time, scientists using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have found evidence of volcanic activity reforming the atmosphere on this rocky planet, which has a similar density, size, and age to that of Earth.
To the surprise of astronomers, new observations from Hubble have uncovered a second atmosphere that has replaced the planet’s first atmosphere. It is rich in hydrogen, hydrogen cyanide, methane and ammonia, and also has a hydrocarbon haze. Astronomers theorise that hydrogen from the original atmosphere was absorbed into the planet’s molten magma mantle and is now being slowly released by volcanism to form a new atmosphere. This second atmosphere, which continues to leak away into space, is continually being replenished from the reservoir of hydrogen in the mantle’s magma.
Credit:NASA, ESA, and R. Hurt (IPAC/Caltech)
About the Video
Id: | heic2104b |
Release date: | 11 March 2021, 15:00 |
Related releases: | heic2104 |
Duration: | 36 s |
Frame rate: | 25 fps |
About the Object
Name: | GJ 1132 b |
Category: | Exoplanets |