Webb telescope finds lava planet holding a thick reflective atmosphere

· Science

The James Webb Space Telescope has observed TOI-561 b, a scorching lava planet 280 light-years away that appears to retain a thick atmosphere despite conditions that should have stripped it away billions of years ago. Observations suggest the planet reflects about 75% of incoming starlight, possibly because of mineral clouds acting like a giant sunscreen. The result challenges assumptions about how long rocky planets close to their stars can keep an atmosphere.

Why it matters：The finding tests models of atmospheric survival on rocky planets orbiting close to their stars, a question central to judging which exoplanets could plausibly retain atmospheres.

Key points

  • TOI-561 b lies about 280 light-years away and is a scorching lava world.
  • It reflects roughly 75% of incoming starlight.
  • Mineral clouds are one possible explanation for the high reflectivity.

Sources (original reporting)

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