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Hydrogen Sulfide Detected in Exoplanet Atmosphere by Webb Telescope

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • James Webb Space Telescope identified hydrogen sulfide on HD 189733 b
  • HD 189733 b is a hot Jupiter located about 64 light-years from Earth
  • The discovery was published in Nature on July 8, 2024

Astronomers have detected hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of the exoplanet HD 189733 b using the James Webb Space Telescope, marking a new development in the study of planetary atmospheres beyond the solar system.

This finding is notable because hydrogen sulfide, a molecule previously observed on gas giants within our solar system, has now been confirmed on an exoplanet for the first time. The detection contributes to ongoing research into the chemical composition and formation of gas giant planets.

HD 189733 b is classified as a hot Jupiter, with a mass and size similar to Jupiter but orbiting much closer to its star. The planet completes one orbit in about 2.2 Earth days and is located approximately 64 light-years away from Earth.

The planet’s atmosphere contains hydrogen sulfide, which is known for its association with the smell of rotten eggs. If a human could survive on HD 189733 b, the presence of this compound would give the planet a distinctive odor.

What the numbers show

  • HD 189733 b is about 64 light-years from Earth
  • The planet completes an orbit every 2.2 Earth days
  • Hydrogen sulfide was detected in the atmosphere in a study published July 8, 2024

Extreme weather conditions have been observed on HD 189733 b, including winds reaching up to 5,000 miles per hour. These winds can drive glass particles sideways, creating hazardous atmospheric phenomena not found on Earth.

The identification of hydrogen sulfide on this exoplanet is considered a milestone for researchers studying the role of sulfur in planetary atmospheres. Prior to this, hydrogen sulfide had only been detected in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Uranus within the solar system.

By tracing sulfur compounds like hydrogen sulfide in exoplanet atmospheres, scientists can refine models of planetary formation and better understand the distribution of elements in gas giants. This information helps inform broader theories about how planets develop and evolve in different environments.

The results of this research were published in the journal Nature on July 8, 2024, providing the scientific community with new data on exoplanetary atmospheres and the chemical processes at work beyond the solar system.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

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