WASPで「宇宙温度計」を検出

コーネル大学2023年8月29日

天文学者らは、高解像度スペクトル観測を使用して、高温木星WASP-31bの大気中に水素化クロムが存在することを確認した。 この分子はケルビン 1,200 ～ 2,000 度の間でのみ豊富に存在し、系外惑星の「温度計」として機能する可能性があります。

Chromium hydride, found in the temperature range of 1,200-2,000 degrees Kelvin, has been detected in the hot JupiterJupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth planet from the sun. It is a gas giant with a mass greater then all of the other planets combined. Its name comes from the Roman god Jupiter." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]">木星WASP-31bの大気。 この発見により、この分子が系外惑星の「温度計」として使用される道が開かれた。

天文学者のローラ・フラッグ氏によると、水素化クロム（CrH）は比較的希少で、特に温度に敏感な分子で、「星の温度計」として有用だという。 これは、1,200 ～ 2,000 ケルビンの狭い範囲にのみ豊富に存在するためです。

コーネル大学芸術科学部（A&S）の天文学研究員であるフラッグ氏は、この金属水素化物と他の金属水素化物を使って、冷たい星や褐色矮星の温度を測定した。 理論的には、これらの特定の分子が系外惑星の大気中に存在する場合、クロム水素化物は温度が褐色矮星に匹敵する熱い木星系外惑星に対しても同じことができると彼女は述べた。 以前の研究では、低解像度で、それらがそうであることを示唆していました。

ホットジュピターWASP-31bの新発見

Now, Flagg and a Cornell-led team of scientists have confirmed, using high-resolution spectral observations, the presence of chromium hydride in an exoplanetAn exoplanet (or extrasolar planet) is a planet that is located outside our Solar System, orbiting around a star other than the Sun. The first suspected scientific detection of an exoplanet occurred in 1988, with the first confirmation of detection coming in 1992." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]">exoplanet atmosphere of the hot Jupiter WASP-31b, opening the door to use this temperature-sensitive molecule speciesA species is a group of living organisms that share a set of common characteristics and are able to breed and produce fertile offspring. The concept of a species is important in biology as it is used to classify and organize the diversity of life. There are different ways to define a species, but the most widely accepted one is the biological species concept, which defines a species as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable offspring in nature. This definition is widely used in evolutionary biology and ecology to identify and classify living organisms." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]">系外惑星の温度やその他の特性を測定するための「温度計」としての種。

Flagg is lead author of “ExoGemS Detection of a Metal Hydride in an Exoplanet Atmosphere at High Spectral Resolution,” published on August 16 in The Astrophysical Journal LettersThe Astrophysical Journal Letters (ApJL) is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that focuses on the rapid publication of short, significant letters and papers on all aspects of astronomy and astrophysics. It is one of the journals published by the American Astronomical Society (AAS), and is considered one of the most prestigious journals in the field." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]">Astrophysical Journal Letters. Co-authors include: Ray Jayawardhana, the Hans A. Bethe Professor and professor of astronomy (A&S); Jake D. Turner, Hubble Research Fellow in the Cornell Center for Astrophysics & Planetary Science; Ryan J. MacDonald, previously a research associate at the Carl Sagan Institute and now a NASAEstablished in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion." NASA conducts research, develops technology and launches missions to explore and study Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. It also works to advance the state of knowledge in a wide range of scientific fields, including Earth and space science, planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics, and it collaborates with private companies and international partners to achieve its goals." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]"NASA Sagan Fellow at the University of Michigan; and Adam Langeveld, postdoctoral researcher in astronomy (A&S)./p>Chromium hydride, found in the temperature range of 1,200-2,000 degrees Kelvin, has been detected in the hot JupiterJupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and the fifth planet from the sun. It is a gas giant with a mass greater then all of the other planets combined. Its name comes from the Roman god Jupiter." data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]"Jupiter WASP-31b’s atmosphere. This discovery paves the way for the molecule to be used as a “thermometer” for exoplanets./strong>