Researchers Find Mysterious Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet Thanks to NASA's James Webb Telescope

JAKARTA - Scientists have observed a rare exoplanet that is quite challenging to use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. This Jupiter-mass planet is known to have a unique atmospheric composition.

In fact, the composition of this planet is claimed to have never been found before outside the solar system. As reported on NASA's official website, this object is named PSR J2322-2650b. This exoplanet has an exotic atmosphere dominated by helium and carbon.

The researchers suspect that there are soot clouds in the air and diamond rain that is formed deep inside the planet. This planetary system is also unique because its host star is a pulsar, a neutron star that rotates very fast.

The pulsar emits high-energy radiation that is not visible by Webb's infrared sensors so the telescope can observe the planet's spectrum purely. According to researchers, this atmosphere is very different because it contains carbon molecules such as C3 and C2.

This is very unusual because at these extreme temperatures, carbon usually binds to other atoms such as oxygen or nitrogen. This exoplanet is also known to orbit its star very close, only one million miles away.

As a result, one year on this planet only lasts for 7.8 hours of Earth time. The pulsar's extremely strong gravitational force pulls this Jupiter-mass planet into a flattened shape resembling a lemon.

Of the thousands of exoplanets known, this is the only gas giant found orbiting a pulsar. The mechanism of planet formation is still a puzzle for nuclear physicists and astronomers at NASA.