For the first time ever, scientists are sniffing out the secrets of a “super-Earth” — the type of planet thought to be the most common in our galaxy. In a study published Tuesday in the Astrophysical Journal, a team led by scientists from University College London report on the atmosphere of exoplanet 55 Cancri e, also known as Janssen.
Super-Earths are planets larger than our own (in this case, twice as big and eight times as massive) but not as large as the towering gas giants.
While these planets may be more Earth-like than others, most of them are totally uninhabitable. Because of its close proximity to its host star, Janssen boasts a surface temperature of over 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.
Now, thanks to data from the Hubble, scientists have confirmed that this rocky hell-scape lacks water. They detected signs of hydrogen and helium in the atmosphere but no water vapor to speak of. Hints of hydrogen cyanide could indicate a carbon-rich atmosphere, according to the scientists.
This is the first time scientists have successfully detected an atmosphere in a super-Earth, though they’ve tried to use the same method a couple of times before. Janssen was more forthcoming because of its super-close proximity to its host star.
