Some planets in the solar system seem strange. For example, Venus is surprised with its rotation in the opposite direction or Uranus lying on its side. However, compared to extrasolar planets, they seem quite ordinary. What surprises the exoplanet HR 8799e?
Here is an unusual world, the analogue of which is not to be found in the vast solar system. The exoplanet is younger and more massive than any of our world. HR 8799 e is a large planet orbiting the main sequence star, which is 129 light-years distant from us.
The star HR 8799 is in the constellation Pegasus, and its age is only 30 million years! Planet HR 8799 e is considered a gas giant that is 5-10 times more massive than Jupiter. It is worth noting that four young and hot gas giants rotate around the star at once.
HR 8799 e is the fourth planet in the system in order of discovery. It is a young, massive and hot gas giant. Scientists say that the planet is literally red-hot and glows from the inside with warm rays, showing dark storm cloud spots.
Real photo of star HR 8799 with 4 exoplanets spinning around it.
The planet is removed from the star at 14.5 a. e. and is closer than the rest. HR 8799 e is believed to be turned all the time by a face in a star, and its orbital rotation lasts as much as 50 years. The world was found in 2009, and they managed to confirm the status in 2010 after observing at the Very Large Telescope. In 2013, the spectroscope showed that the planet actively absorbs methane, which was not observed in other worlds of the HR 8799 system. But the atmosphere of the exoplanet itself was most surprised. In fact, iron clouds float in the atmospheric layer!
In 2019, researchers used the GRAVITY instrument to conduct the first direct observation using optical interferometry. Spectrum, exceeding 10 times previous reviews, demonstrated a complex atmosphere, where the clouds were an accumulation of iron and silicates. These substances circulated in the form of a storm all over the planet.
Of course, this world is completely unsuitable for life. Due to the greenhouse effect, the temperature rises to 1000 ° C. Also, the atmosphere showed a predominance of carbon monoxide over methane. It is rather strange if we are talking about chemical balance. Scientists assume that the whole thing is in high vertical atmospheric winds, which serve as a barrier to the interaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (as a result of this contact, methane is formed).
It is also important to understand that the iron clouds of the planet do not swim calmly across the sky. They are involved in a cruel and large-scale hurricane that has swept the whole world.
