Astronomers discover unexpected atmosphere on lava planet TOI-561 b

Astronomers have identified an unexpected atmosphere on TOI-561 b, a rocky, lava-covered exoplanet located approximately 280 light-years from Earth. Despite intense heat from its host star, which was expected to dissipate any atmosphere shortly after the planet's formation, researchers found the planet is enveloped in a reflective layer of clouds acting as a canopy to reduce surface heat.

TOI-561 b is the innermost of four planets orbiting TOI-561, a G-class star twice the age of the Sun. The planet orbits its star at a distance of only 1.5 million kilometers, completing a full revolution in less than 11 hours. The study involved researchers from the University of Birmingham and the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets at the University of Montreal.