A giant mirror in space: the discovery of the first exoplanet with metallic clouds

The discovery a few hours ago of a new exoplanet, forming spirals around its parent star, is something that was noticed for the first time and causes awe in the field of science, and not only.

Published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, a research team now presents the discovery of another exoplanet with features scientists see for the first time. Codenamed planet LTT9779bis slightly larger than Neptune and orbits its parent star at a distance of 264 light-years from Earth.

The planet completes one orbit around the star in about 19 hours.

What makes LTT9779b special is that it appears to be surrounded by clouds of titanium and silicate minerals. These clouds reflect 75% of the light coming into space, compared to Earth which reflects 30% of the light coming into space

“It’s a giant mirror in space,” said astronomer James Jenkins of the University of Diego Portales and Center of Excellence in Astrophysics and Related Technologies (CATA) in Chile, a member of the research team that spotted the exoplanet. The existence of the atmosphere in itself is a surprise to scientists because the planet’s proximity to its parent star does not allow the development of the atmosphere, and the surprise follows admiration and admiration for the type of clouds that formed on LTT9779b and the elements that form it to be similar to those found in the rocks of the earth’s crust.

“We think the clouds can condense into droplets and cause titanium rain in some areas of the atmosphere. No other planet like this has been discovered yet,” said astronomer at the Marseille Astrophysical Laboratory in France and head of the research team, Sergio Hoyer.

The discovery is amazing, and metallic clouds create a captivating spectacle in space.