Astronomers see unexpected molecule in exoplanet atmosphere
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 - 09:21
in Astronomy & Space
SRON-astronomers have found the signature for aluminum oxide (AlO) in the spectrum of exoplanet WASP-43b. This came as a surprise because AlO is expected to stay hidden in the lower atmospheric layers. It is only the second time that astronomers have observed the molecule in an exoplanet's atmosphere. The results are published in Astronomy & Astrophysics on July 1.