James Webb Telescope Observes Unexplained Pulsar-Planet System

Scientists using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have observed an unusual exoplanet named PSR J2322-2650b, which orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star called a pulsar. The exoplanet's atmospheric composition is dominated by helium and carbon, a combination that challenges existing theories of planetary formation.

This Jupiter-mass object features a bizarre lemon shape due to the pulsar's strong gravitational forces, and researchers found that soot clouds likely float in its atmosphere, with carbon clouds capable of crystallizing into diamonds beneath its surface.

According to study co-author Peter Gao from the Carnegie Earth and Planets Laboratory, the discovery was surprising, prompting reactions of disbelief from the research team. The planet is located roughly 1 million miles from the pulsar, completing an orbit every 7.8 hours, which is extraordinarily close compared to Earth's 93 million miles from the sun.

The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, reveal that instead of expected molecules like water and methane, the team detected molecular carbon, specifically C3 and C2, which is typically not found in other exoplanets due to its unusual atmospheric conditions.

Michael Zhang from the University of Chicago emphasized the uniqueness of this planetary atmosphere, noting that the presence of molecular carbon suggests a lack of oxygen or nitrogen, which is unprecedented among the 150 studied planets.

The research also proposes that the planet may be part of a rare 'black widow' system, where a pulsar has a small, low-mass companion, leading to questions about its formation mechanisms and how it developed such a distinct atmosphere.

Roger Romani of Stanford University speculated that as the planet cools, carbon-oxygen mixtures within may crystallize, presenting a complex puzzle for future research. This discovery exemplifies the advanced capabilities of the Webb telescope, which can conduct observations not possible from ground-based telescopes.

The study, titled 'A Carbon-rich Atmosphere on a Windy Pulsar Planet,' is authored by Michael Zhang and colleagues and highlights the increasing complexity of planetary atmospheres in our universe.