The article discusses the fascinating phenomena observable in extreme exoplanetary systems, where certain planets are subjected to intense heat and radiation from their parent stars. These extreme conditions can lead to the disintegration of the planets, stripping away not just their atmospheres but also their crusts and cores. The discovery of such planets has been enhanced by findings from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), providing new opportunities to study planetary compositions far beyond our Solar System. Notably, the author interviews Dr. Nick Tusay, who contributes to this field of research.
In fact, we've discovered a few systems that are so extreme, the planets that orbit them are in the process of disintegrating: where the heat, winds, and radiation from the parent star actually blows part of the planet itself away.
At temperatures of around 2000 degrees and upwards, these exoplanets can lose their crusts, mantles, and even their cores over long enough timescales.
Collection
[
|
...
]