Webb Detects 1,100°F Heat Spike on HD 80606 b in 111-Day Orbit

2 articles · Updated · Science@NASA · Jun 16

HD 80606 b heated up by 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit as it swung closest to its Sun-like star, a sharper rise than researchers had expected from earlier Spitzer observations.
Webb captured the gas giant before, during and after periastron with its MIRI instrument, using spectroscopy to track temperature and chemical changes as the planet also slipped behind its star.
Researchers say the four-Jupiter-mass planet’s highly elliptical 111-day orbit makes it unusually useful because it compresses wide swings in heat and composition into just hours of observation.
The team is presenting preliminary results at the American Astronomical Society meeting, with scientists expecting the dataset to reveal more detailed signatures such as methane and carbon dioxide.
The findings extend Spitzer’s earlier infrared work on the so-called roasted exoplanet and could help scientists interpret other hot Jupiters and more conventional exoplanets.

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Science@NASA16h ago

Webb Detects 1,100°F Spike on Exoplanet HD 80606 b

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NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has observed a dramatic temperature spike on the gas giant exoplanet HD 80606 b as it swung close to its Sun-like star. The planet, which has four

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Extreme Orbits, Extreme Atmospheres: The Case of HD 80606 b and Its Unprecedented Temperature Swings

Overview

HD 80606 b is a gas giant exoplanet about 190 light-years from Earth, known for its exceptionally eccentric orbit. Most of the time, it stays far from its star, but every 111 days, it swings in close, causing a sudden and intense heating event. This leads to dramatic and rapid temperature changes, making its atmosphere highly dynamic. NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope revealed these extreme conditions, helping scientists understand how such an unusual orbit affects the planet's weather and atmosphere. HD 80606 b's unique behavior offers valuable insights into the diversity of exoplanets and their environments.

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