Friday, May 23, 2025
All the Bits Fit to Print
Limb-specific atmospheric composition and cloud differences on WASP-107 b
New observations of the exoplanet WASP-107 b reveal differences between its evening and morning atmospheric limbs, offering insights into temperature, chemical composition, and cloud coverage. The study also addresses how stellar activity can skew these measurements and proposes a correction method.
Why it matters: Limb-resolved spectra reveal detailed atmospheric dynamics and composition on different sides of an exoplanet.
The big picture: Understanding limb differences helps reveal global atmospheric circulation and cloud distribution on distant worlds.
Stunning stat: WASP-107 b shows distinct SO2 and CO2 abundance variations and significant morning limb clouds.
The stakes: Starspot contamination can bias limb spectra, potentially misleading interpretations without proper correction.