description WASP-107b Overview
WASP-107b is an exoplanet orbiting a K-type star. It’s a super-Neptune with a remarkably low density, making it one of the least dense planets discovered to date. Observations reveal significant helium escaping from its atmosphere. This planet is of interest to astronomers studying planetary formation and atmospheric evolution around different types of stars.
help WASP-107b FAQ
What makes WASP-107b unique among exoplanets?
WASP-107b is a highly inflated super-Neptune, famous for having one of the lowest known densities of any planet. Astronomers compare its consistency to cotton candy or marshmallow due to its massive size but incredibly low mass. Its radius is similar to Jupiter's, but it has only a tenth of Jupiter's mass.
When was WASP-107b discovered?
The planet was discovered in 2017 by the WASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) survey. It orbits a K-type star located about 200 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Virgo. Its extreme properties were confirmed through follow-up observations by the Keck Observatory.
What has the James Webb Space Telescope found on WASP-107b?
Observations by the James Webb Space Telescope in the mid-2020s detected water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and silicate sand clouds in WASP-107b's atmosphere. This marked the first time scientists precisely measured the chemical composition of cloud particles on an exoplanet. The data also showed a massive outflow of helium gas.
Why does WASP-107b have a massive helium tail?
The exoplanet's atmosphere is literally boiling away into space due to intense radiation from its host star. This outflow creates a massive comet-like tail of helium gas trailing the planet. It reportedly loses billions of tons of gas per second, though it still retains a thick atmosphere.
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