"JWST Discovers Quartz Crystals in Exoplanet's Atmosphere"
The James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) has detected quartz nanocrystals in the upper atmosphere of WASP-17 b, an exoplanet located 1,324 light-years away. This discovery is surprising as exoplanets have traditionally been found to possess magnesium-rich silicates. The presence of quartz could provide new insights into the formation and evolution of exoplanet clouds and their atmospheres. The quartz crystals are much smaller than those found on Earth, with a diameter of only 10 nanometers. The extreme heat and low pressure on WASP-17 b allow solid crystals to form directly from gas. Further research will focus on determining the amount of quartz in the atmosphere and the activity of the clouds.
- JWST Detects Crystals of Quartz in a Strange Exoplanet's Atmosphere ScienceAlert
- Webb Telescope Finds Strange Particles in Planet's Alien Clouds Mashable
- Clouds of quartz detected high in a distant planet's atmosphere – here's what this tells us about other worlds The Conversation
- Webb Space Telescope detects quartz crystals in WASP-17 b exoplanet's atmosphere TechSpot
- Exoplanet Has Clouds Made Of Rock Crystals Forbes
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