Tidal Storm Makes Exoplanet 'Literally Glows at Optical Wavelength' [Study]

Researchers searching for exoplanets discovered tidal forces can make an exoplanet glow. The extreme temperature can make a planet glow due to the heat it radiates.

Tidal Storm Makes Exoplanet Glow

In a new study "A Perfect Tidal Storm: HD 104067 Planetary Architecture Creating an Incandescent World," a team of international researchers collected data from ground-based instruments to confirm the existence of exoplanet TOI-6713.01 from HD 104067 system. They also used NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission to identify additional potential exoplanets.

 Dr. Stephen Kane, who is a Professor of Planetary Astrophysics at UC Riverside and lead author of the study, and his colleagues used data from the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) and High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) ground-based instruments and the aforementioned TESS mission to ascertain the characteristics and parameters of both the parent star, HD 105067, and the corresponding exoplanets orbiting it.

The most remarkable result of the analysis is that the system dynamics induce strong tidal effects, comparable to those of Io, during the 2.2-day period. However, in this instance, TOI-6713.01 receives 10 million times more tidal energy than Io, which causes its surface temperature to rise to 2600K [2,300 degrees Celsius (4,200 degrees Fahrenheit). This indicates that "the planet literally glows at optical wavelengths."

According to Dr. Kane, this new exoplanet candidate "experiences 10 million times more tidal energy than Io," which may lead to further inquiries about possible geologic processes or volcanic activity on the planet.

"The reason TOI-6713.01 experiences such strong tidal forces is because of the eccentricity of the outer two giant planets, forcing TOI-6713.01 into an eccentric orbit also. Thus, I referred to the planet as being caught in a perfect tidal storm," he explained.

The gravitational pull of the two outer massive exoplanets in the HD 104067 system, which are causing a "perfect tidal storm" on the innermost TOI-6713.01, is a little like that of Jupiter's first three Galilean moons, Io, Europa, and Ganymede.

There are significant distinctions, though, since all three of Jupiter's moons are in an orbital resonance, meaning their orbits are matched, and because Io's volcanic activity is mostly driven by Jupiter's powerful gravity. For instance, there are two orbits of Europa and one orbit of Ganymede for every four orbits of Io, resulting in an orbital resonance of 4:2:1, which causes regular gravitational effects between the moons.

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Tidal Waves in Jupiter's Ocean Moons

In another study, researchers learned that the tides of Jupiter may be more influenced by its four largest moons than by the planet itself. According to the research, oceans on these moons would then produce more heat through friction and might be a better environment for supporting life than previously believed.

Since Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, it makes sense that Jupiter would have the biggest impact on the ocean moons' tides. However, a stronger gravitational pull does not always correspond to higher tides if the timing is off, according to the study.

The four largest moons of Jupiter, referred to as the Galilean moons, may have a greater influence on the tides of their respective orbits than the huge planet they circle due to a phenomenon known as tidal resonance.

Given the recent discovery of this interaction between the moons, scientists may need to reevaluate existing theories regarding the evolution of these ocean moons and the source of most of their heat.

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