Barium found in Exoplanets

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

Scientists have detected barium in the upper atmosphere of two giant exoplanets for the first time. 

About Exoplanet

• These exoplanets are two ultra-hot Jupiters WASP-76b and WASP-121b which orbit their host stars WASP 76 and WASP 121.
• The former is about 640 light-years away from the Earth and the latter around 900 light-years away.
• Ultra-hot Jupiters are a class of hot gaseous planets that matches the size of Jupiter. But they have short orbital periods, unlike Jupiter.
• Both WASP-76b and WASP-121b complete one orbit in two days. Surface temperatures in these bodies reach as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius. 
• These bodies have unique features owing to their high temperatures. For instance, WASP-76b experiences iron rain.

Findings

The scientists confirmed the presence of hydrogen, lithium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, vanadium, chromium, manganese and iron in the atmosphere of the WASP-76 b, in addition to barium.

• Additionally, the team found elements such as cobalt and strontium. They also found indications of titanium in the exoplanet.
• The presence of heavy elements at high altitudes in the atmospheres of ultra-hot Jupiters indicates that some unique atmospheric dynamics are at play.
• This discovery of barium is surprising because heavy elements like barium are expected to quickly fall into the lower layers of the atmosphere.

Barium

• Barium is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56.
• The element is used in metallurgy, and its compounds are used in pyrotechnics, petroleum production, and radiology.
• Soluble barium compounds are poisonous. In low doses, barium ions act as a muscle stimulant, and higher doses affect the nervous system, causing cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, shortness of breath, and paralysis.
• Because of its high chemical reactivity, barium is never found in nature as a free element.
• Barium salts are used in fireworks to generate green lights.
• Barium, two and half times heavier than iron, is the heaviest-ever detected element.