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James Webb Reveals Aurora Weather on Rogue Planet

11/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope observed auroras on the rogue planet SIMP 0136.
They detected temperature and chemical changes, including a thermal inversion and uniform silicate clouds in SIMP 0136's atmosphere.
Fast rotation and magnetic fields drive weather, with auroras potentially heating the upper atmosphere.
The study shows starless worlds can host complex weather driven by internal heat, and researchers will study similar objects.

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Story summary

Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope observed auroras on the rogue planet SIMP 0136.
They detected temperature and chemical changes, including a thermal inversion and uniform silicate clouds in SIMP 0136's atmosphere.
Fast rotation and magnetic fields drive weather, with auroras potentially heating the upper atmosphere.
The study shows starless worlds can host complex weather driven by internal heat, and researchers will study similar objects.