One Magnetic Field is a parameter physique The planet’s atmosphere is important in defining its ability to evolve and remain habitable. for example, terrestrial magnetosphere protect us Atmosphere Of’solar wind erosion and thus preserves life on its surface. all body of Solar system They do not have an internal magnetosphere, whereas their presence exoplanets, although checked with the comments ofemissions The radio, so far, has escaped detection.

using observations of telescope spatial HubbleA new study published in nature astronomy Reports the first clear identification of a magnetosphere for Exoplanet HAT-P-11b, a type of gaseous planet Neptune Discovered in 2008 (123 .) light year of the solar system).

How to find the magnetic field of a distant planet?

The detection and characterization of the magnetic field of the planets is done by tracking the atoms carbon Formed in the atmosphere of an ionized planet. when it anion Escape from the atmosphere, they are captured by the magnetic field, and their detection at great distances from the planet reveals the properties of the magnetic field.

To accomplish this task, the international research team simulated in detail the physical and chemical formation and evolution of these ions from the deep atmosphere in the exoplanet and its interplanetary space. Star Host using a combination of advanced models developed in France (IAP, CEA, GSMA) and internationally. The observations were obtained thanks to the HST/PANCET research program dedicated to the characterization of exoplanet’s atmosphere,

Models of exoplanet formation may be wrong

Analysis of Hubble’s measurements also shows that the exoplanet has a metallicity very few (a measure of the number of atoms heavier thanhydrogen planet than predicted by theoretical models, in agreement with other independent studies). This result is important, as it lends credence to the finding that HAT-P-11b (26.7 times the mass of Earth) actually has a lower metallicity than expected. it means that exoplanet formation model may be wrong, suggesting that more work is needed to refine current theories on the formation and evolution of some exoplanets.

By measuring atmospheric metallicity as well as detecting the magnetic fields of planets, this study also provides – for the first time – a bridge between two disciplines of planetary science that are not typically linked: the internal physics of planets. And space science Space (the study of a planetary magnetosphere).