New insight into a mysterious exoplanet
An international team led by Northwestern University has, for the first time, detected signatures of salt‑laden clouds in the atmosphere of the so‑called “Pink Planet” using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The object, noted for its distinctive rosy hue for more than a decade, is among the coldest planetary‑mass companions ever directly imaged.
Its faintness has previously prevented detailed spectroscopic studies from ground‑based observatories. The JWST’s high sensitivity and infrared resolution, however, allowed researchers to capture subtle spectral features that reveal a complex chemical makeup in the upper atmosphere.
- Strong absorption bands consistent with sodium and chloride compounds were observed.
- Atmospheric models suggest the formation of salt‑based aerosols that could produce the planet’s pinkish glow.
- The finding provides new clues about cloud formation in extremely cold, massive companions.
These results broaden our understanding of atmospheric dynamics in cool, planet‑mass objects and demonstrate that even very dim bodies can host intricate weather phenomena. Additional JWST observations are planned to refine the chemical inventory and monitor possible temporal variations.