Uncovering the Secrets of a Super-Earth: 55 Cancri e and the Promising Possibility of Habitable Rocky Planets with Thick Atmospheres

Newly discovered super Earth 55 Cancri e is shrouded in a thick atmosphere, twice the size of Earth. This rocky planet, located 41 light years away, has boiling temperatures that can reach as high as 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite this, scientists believe that the discovery of an atmosphere around the planet is a promising indication that other rocky planets with thick atmospheres may exist and could potentially be more habitable.

The planet orbits its star closely and is much heavier than Earth, resulting in permanent day and night sides. Researchers used the Webb Space Telescope to study the planet’s atmosphere and observed changes in temperature as it passed behind its star. Evidence suggests that the planet’s heat is distributed more evenly across its surface, typical of atmospheres.

Scientists believe that gases from the planet’s magma oceans play a role in maintaining its atmosphere. Studying this super Earth could provide insights into the early evolution of planets like Earth and Mars, which may have initially had magma oceans that have since cooled. Renyu Hu, a planetary scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory involved in the research views this as a unique opportunity to explore the early phases of planet evolution.