Story perspectives

JWST Reveals Thermal Secrets of TRAPPIST-1 Planets

9/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers used JWST/MIRI to analyze TRAPPIST-1 b and c, revealing thermal emissions linked to irradiation levels.
TRAPPIST-1 b has a high dayside brightness temperature of 490 K and minimal nightside emission, indicating low albedo.
TRAPPIST-1 c has a lower dayside temperature of 369 K, with nightside flux similar to TRAPPIST-1 b.
Both planets likely lack substantial atmospheres; TRAPPIST-1 c may possess a thin, O2-dominated atmosphere.
The TOI-4010 system study indicated upper limits on helium absorption, challenging hydrodynamic models for solar atmospheres.

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Story summary

Researchers used JWST/MIRI to analyze TRAPPIST-1 b and c, revealing thermal emissions linked to irradiation levels.
TRAPPIST-1 b has a high dayside brightness temperature of 490 K and minimal nightside emission, indicating low albedo.
TRAPPIST-1 c has a lower dayside temperature of 369 K, with nightside flux similar to TRAPPIST-1 b.
Both planets likely lack substantial atmospheres; TRAPPIST-1 c may possess a thin, O2-dominated atmosphere.
The TOI-4010 system study indicated upper limits on helium absorption, challenging hydrodynamic models for solar atmospheres.