Scientists have discovered the planet with the highest reflectivity - the researchers call it "the largest mirror in the universe."
Exoplanet LTT9779b is located about 262 light-years away - outside the solar system. It orbits its star in just 19 hours and is about the size of Neptune. The temperature of the planet reaches 2000 °, due to which the metals and silicates around it melt, and the atmosphere is supersaturated and condenses into metallic clouds. Literally: it's raining molten titanium on LTT9779b. However, this is not the most unusual.
The planet reflects up to 80% of the light from its parent star. For comparison: the Earth reflects only 30%. The discovery was made by the European Space Agency with the help of the world's only satellite that allows you to observe exoplanets. According to the researchers, the reflective abilities, coupled with other characteristics of the planet, make it "the largest mirror in the universe."
"This planet should not exist" scientists say. “Imagine a burning world with heavy clouds of metals floating in the air, from which drops of titanium fall.” The researchers emphasize that planets with this temperature usually turn into endless rocks, but LTT9779b is saved by clouds that reflect light.
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