In the atmosphere of extrasolar planets hanging clouds of Titan

Astronomers have discovered an unusual exoplanet.

Researchers at the European space Agency has discovered an unusual exoplanet whose atmosphere hanging clouds of titanium oxide.

These clouds have a very strong greenhouse effect and is able to heat up the upper layers of the planet’s atmosphere to very high temperatures, according to the European Southern Observatory.

On the ESO telescope with the FORS2 receiver group of astronomers under the guidance of Alara Seagate was first registered oxide of titanium in the atmosphere of extrasolar planets: the “hot Jupiter” WASP-19b. Planet makes a complete revolution in its orbit in just 19 hours. Evaluation of the temperature of its atmosphere is about 2000 degrees Celsius.

When WASP-19b is between the observer and the disk of the parent star, part of the light from the star passes through the planet’s atmosphere, and it imposes on the radiation of very faint impression that it is possible to identify when this light on Earth. Using the receiver FORS2, astronomers conducted a thorough analysis of radiation and found that the planet’s atmosphere contains small amounts of titanium oxide, water and sodium.

“To identify the presence of these molecules very difficult. It does not only require data of exceptional quality, but also very sophisticated technique analysis. To come to our conclusions, we used a special algorithm, including the analysis of millions of spectra in a wide range of parameters the chemical composition, temperature and properties of the medium,” says Elgar Seagate.

The oxide of titanium is rarely observed in terrestrial conditions. It is known that it exists in the atmospheres of cool stars. In the atmospheres of hot planets such as WASP-19b, it acts as a heat sink. If such molecules are many, as they prevent the outflow of heat from the atmosphere and inflow, which leads to thermal inversion: the temperature is higher in the upper atmosphere and decreases with decreasing height, under normal conditions the situation is reversed. In the Earth’s atmosphere similar role is played by the ozone, which induces the same inversion.

“The presence of titanium oxide in the atmosphere of WASP-19b may have a significant impact on the distribution and circulation of temperature. What we are able to explore exoplanets at this level of detail is remarkable and encouraging fact,” says member of the research team, astronomer Ryan McDonald.

paradox