Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists examined the atmosphere of HD 189733 b, which features intense heat and precipitation that resembles glass falling down.
Researchers have discovered that the majority of HD 189733 b’s atmosphere is composed of hydrogen sulfide, which is also present on Jupiter and produces a small ping. Moreover, the gas is released when you fart.
This is among the first instances of hydrogen sulfide being detected on an exoplanet, or planet outside of our solar system.
“So, if your nose could work at 1000 °C, the atmosphere would smell like rotten eggs,” stated Dr. Guangwei Fu, the Johns Hopkins astrophysicist in charge of the study.
While hydrogen sulfide is one of the gases that suggests faraway worlds could support extraterrestrial life, scientists aren’t looking for life on this planet because it’s too hot and a gas giant like Jupiter.
Still, the discovery of hydrogen sulfide here is a step toward a better understanding of planet formation.
