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Science & Tech.
Mahesh

16/10/22 09:02 AM IST

Researchers detect barium in atmospheres of 2 exoplanets

In News 
  • Scientists have detected barium in the upper atmosphere of two giant exoplanets for the first time, noted a new study.
  • Barium, two and half times heavier than iron, is the heaviest-ever detected element.
Major Findings 
  • WASP-76b (640 light-years away from the Earth )and WASP-121b (900 light-years away) —orbit their host stars WASP 76 and WASP 121.
  • This discovery of barium is surprising because heavy elements like barium are expected to quickly fall into the lower layers of the atmosphere, given these exoplanets have high gravity.
  • Both WASP-76b and WASP-121b complete one orbit in two days. Surface temperatures in these bodies reach as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius.
  • These bodies have unique features owing to their high temperatures. For instance, WASP-76b experiences iron rain.
  • The scientists confirmed the presence of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, vanadium, chromium, manganese and iron in the atmosphere of the WASP-76 b, in addition to barium.
  • In WASP 121b, they confirmed the presence of lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron and nickel.
  • This discovery of barium is surprising because heavy elements like barium are expected to quickly fall into the lower layers of the atmosphere, given these exoplanets have high gravity.
  • Barium salts are used in fireworks to generate green lights. 
Exoplanets 
  • An exoplanet is any planet beyond our solar system. Most orbit other stars, but free-floating exoplanets, called rogue planets, orbit the galactic centre and are untethered to any star.
  • The search for exoplanets is driven by the possibility that life may exist beyond Earth.

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