Wiretapping a Star: How a Naked Planet Helps Find Air ⚡ экспресс
Scientists are trying to find an atmosphere on planet TRAPPIST-1 e. But the star it orbits is covered in spots and flares that interfere with measurements. To remove the noise, researchers observe a neighboring airless planet — as if we were pressing a mute microphone against a blaring speaker to subtract the clamor. Will we succeed in hearing the breath of an Earth-like world?
Eavesdropping on a distant planet's atmosphere is hampered by the star's noise. In the TRAPPIST-1 system, astronomers used a planet-"bug": TRAPPIST-1 b — an airless neighbor that records only the interference. By subtracting this recording from the signal of planet TRAPPIST-1 e, we can isolate the pure voice of its air.
Initial observations by James Webb proved the idea works: on quiet days, no traces of air are seen, as expected. But the star's whims continue a game of broken telephone. The search for an atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1 e goes on — hoping to catch the star in a good mood.
🎯 The TRAPPIST-1 system is so compact that all its planets could fit inside Mercury's orbit. A year on TRAPPIST-1 e lasts just 6 Earth days.