British astronomers have discovered the exoplanet HAT-P-7 b, in the atmosphere of which there are clouds of corundum - a mineral, the varieties of which are ruby and sapphire. The study is published in the journal Nature Astronomy and is briefly reported by the University of Warwick.
“HAT-P-7b is a planet in tidal grip - it always faces its star with the same side. We expect clouds to form on the cold night side of the planet, and quickly evaporate on the hot day side,”said lead author David Armstrong.
The celestial body HAT-P-7 b became the first gas giant outside the solar system, on which scientists have discovered strong winds that are likely to lead to catastrophic storms. The discovery was made with the Kepler space telescope.
The gas giant HAT-P-7 b is 16 times larger and 400 times more massive than Earth. Located over a thousand light years from the Sun. The celestial body revolves around the star HAT-P-7, 1.5 times heavier and 40 percent more voluminous than the Sun, with a period of two days. The temperature of the outer layers of the atmosphere HAT-P-7 b is estimated at two thousand degrees Celsius.
