A peculiar light phenomenon, resembling a rainbow “glory,” has been observed over the distant exoplanet WASP-76 b, potentially marking the first instance of such a spectacle detected beyond our solar system.
This exoplanet, situated approximately 637 light-years away, was initially identified in 2013 by the Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) project. Despite being nearly 90% the mass of Jupiter, WASP-76 b boasts double the width, orbiting its parent star at an unusually close distance, completing a single orbit in just 1.8 days.
Recent analyses, incorporating data from the European Space Agency’s Characterising Exoplanet Satellite and NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, have unveiled a luminous “bright spot” at the eastern edge of the exoplanet. Scientists speculate that this anomaly could signify the presence of a “glory,” a rare optical phenomenon characterized by concentric rainbow rings forming a large circle.
On Earth, glories occur when sunlight passes through tiny gaps between water molecules in clouds or fog, resulting in the diffraction of light into distinct wavelengths. However, the conditions necessary for the formation of a glory are intricate, demanding spherical, uniform atmospheric particles and precise observer positioning.
While the existence of a glory on WASP-76 b remains speculative due to the faintness of the signal, experts underscore the need for further evidence to conclusively validate this phenomenon. Advanced instruments, like those aboard the James Webb Space Telescope, may facilitate future investigations into the occurrence of glories and shed light on their enigmatic nature.
Should the presence of a glory be confirmed, it could prompt broader exploration into similar light phenomena across exoplanetary atmospheres, offering invaluable insights into these distant worlds.
