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EarthSolar t1_jdwi80v wrote

Reply to comment by 4thDevilsAdvocate in [NASAWebb] TRAPPIST-1 b: We give it a one (M-dwarf) star review; it lacks atmosphere. Webb found the dayside temperature of this rocky exoplanet to be about 450º F (227º C) — suggesting it has no significant atmosphere by Easy_Money_

People were indeed surprised, although I’m wondering if a very high altitude dark haze layer would be able to cloak signs of carbon dioxide, which the paper notably points to the lack of, and mimic airless body.

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PhoenixReborn t1_jdwsr9l wrote

Would that be consistent with the thermal measurements? Sounds like there isn't as much heat exchange between the day and night sides of the planet as there would be with an atmosphere.

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EarthSolar t1_jdwuwab wrote

The idea of high altitude haze is for the haze to be in a zone where the atmospheric pressure is too low to effectively transport heat from dayside to nightside, and thus causing it to look like airless planet. That said the haze itself might move and jeopardize this, but I figured it's better to ask.

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