We know there are thousands of planets beyond our solar system , called exoplanets . And scientists are reasonably sure that many of these planets must also host Moon , calledexomoons . But because moons are so lilliputian and dim compared to planets and stars , there has never been a support discovery of an exomoon . Now , though , scientists have bring out grounds of an exomoon , and it seems to be a unholy and volcanic place .
The possible moon is in orbit around WASP-49 B-complex vitamin , a gas giant locate over 600 sluttish - class aside that revolve its lead so closely that a year there endure just 2.8 mean solar day . The evidence for the Sun Myung Moon fall in the form of a cloud of sodium that appear to be moving slightly differently from the satellite , suggesting it could be link to its own physical structure .
The presence of Na is similar to what is seen at Jupiter ’s moon Io , which is covered in 100 of vent and is the most volcanically dynamic spot in the solar organization . These vent are incessantly take fire and honk out material including sulfur dioxide , sodium , atomic number 19 , and other gas , which can be throw out for hundreds of miles and can take shape Brobdingnagian cloud that are bad even than Jupiter .
When researcher used the Very Large Telescope to observe the WASP-49 system , they found a comparable - looking cloud of sulfur , which is why they think there might be a volcanic synodic month there .
“ We remember this is a really decisive piece of evidence , ” said lead researcher Apurva Oza of the California Institute of Technology in astatement . “ The cloud is go in the paired direction that physics tells us it should be going if it were part of the planet ’s atmosphere . ”
Another piece of grounds for the world of a moon is that while both the planet and its star do have small amounts of sodium , there is n’t enough present to excuse the size of the cloud .
“ The evidence is very compelling that something other than the planet and wizard are produce this cloud , ” said fellow researcher Rosaly Lopes of NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory . “ observe an exomoon would be quite over-the-top , and because of Io , we cognize that a volcanic exomoon is possible . ”
The dramatic nature of this moon , however , should it live , will be its undoing . Io is ignite internally due to the enormous gravitative forces of Jupiter , which is what keeps powering its volcanoes . But this exomoon is cast out so much fabric and must be under such gravitative breed that the researchers mean it will eventually decay .
“ If there really is a lunar month there , it will have a very destructive termination , ” said Oza .
The research is published inThe Astrophysical Journal Letters .
