tech
"Wet lava ball" exoplanet may have an atmosphere, new evidence shows
Updated on: December 12, 2025 / 2:41 PM EST / CBS News
TL;DR
- NASA researchers have gathered new evidence suggesting exoplanet TOI-561b may have an atmosphere.
- TOI-561b is an ultra-hot, low-density super-Earth orbiting its star very closely, completing an orbit in about 11 hours.
- James Webb Space Telescope data shows TOI-561b's dayside temperature is about 3,200 degrees Fahrenheit, cooler than the estimated 4,900 degrees Fahrenheit if it lacked an atmosphere.
- Scientists propose a thick, volatile-rich atmosphere is needed to explain the observed temperature and other planetary features.
- The exoplanet may have bright silicate clouds that reflect starlight, contributing to atmospheric cooling.
- Researchers suspect an equilibrium between the planet's atmosphere and its magma ocean, where gases are released and reabsorbed.
- Further study of data from the Webb telescope will aim to map TOI-561b's temperature and composition.