Quartz Crystals Found in Exoplanet's Atmosphere by James Webb Space Telescope

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have detected tiny quartz crystals containing silica in the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-17b. The nanoparticles of silica likely swirl from the clouds of the planet, which is a gas giant located 1,300 light-years from Earth. This discovery provides insights into the materials that form planetary environments different from Earth and helps scientists understand the composition of hot gas giants like WASP-17b. The sensitive detections by the Webb telescope allow researchers to better understand the atmospheres and weather on planets outside our solar system.