Scientists discover rocky vapours on ultra-hot Jupiter near us, which is famous for raining metal

There are planets in our Universe that are classified as ultra-hot Jupiters. We can guess that this is due to their huge size and high temperatures. One such planet is called WASP-76 b and has once again attracted the attention of scientists.

Here's What We Know

WASP-76b is a planet in the constellation Pisces. It is about 634 light-years from Earth, which is paltry by cosmic standards, and is distinguished by the presence of metallic rains. They occur because the temperature on the planet reaches 2,400 degrees Celsius, causing the metals to first evaporate and then spill onto the surface.

Scientists on WASP-76b have discovered several of the chemical elements that make up the rocks. These include iron, magnesium, manganese, barium, calcium, chromium and vanadium. Moreover, their content corresponds to the content of these elements in both the local star and the Sun.

Moreover, astronomers believe that WASP-76b previously swallowed a planet resembling Mercury in our star system. Such conclusions have been prompted by an excess of nickel.

As we wrote above, WASP-76b is 634 light years from Earth. The high temperature is due to the fact that the planet is 12 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun. Its orbital period is less than 48 Earth hours.

Because of its proximity to its star, the planet is swollen. For this reason, it is about twice the diameter of Jupiter and at once six times the volume. However, the gas giant from the solar system is more than 15% more massive than WASP-76b.

Source: space