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First Atmosphere Study of Pulsar-Orbiting Gas Giant Revealed

12/21/2025

47 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

PSR J2322-2650b is a gas giant that orbits a pulsar about 2,000 light-years from Earth, and James Webb Space Telescope data show it as the first atmospheric study of a planet around a pulsar, expanding understanding of such atmospheres.
Its equatorial diameter is 38 percent larger than its polar diameter, giving it a lemon-like shape.
The atmosphere lacks hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
The atmosphere is primarily helium and molecular carbon.

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Story summary

PSR J2322-2650b is a gas giant that orbits a pulsar about 2,000 light-years from Earth, and James Webb Space Telescope data show it as the first atmospheric study of a planet around a pulsar, expanding understanding of such atmospheres.
Its equatorial diameter is 38 percent larger than its polar diameter, giving it a lemon-like shape.
The atmosphere lacks hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
The atmosphere is primarily helium and molecular carbon.