Rare Rainbow-Like Rings Observed on Exoplanet: The Glory Effect

For the first time, astronomers have spotted a phenomenon known as the “glory effect” on a planet beyond our solar system. This effect, which manifests as colorful, rainbow-like concentric rings, occurs under specific conditions and has been observed on Earth and once on Venus.

The European Space Agency’s CHEOPS Exoplanet Characterization Satellite, alongside contributions from other ESA and NASA missions, has provided data suggesting the presence of these rainbow rings on WASP-76b. This exoplanet experiences extreme conditions, with intense heat on the side facing its star and perpetual darkness on the opposite side.

The formation of the “glory effect” requires atmospheric particles that are nearly perfect spheres, uniform in composition, and stable over time. Additionally, the planetary body’s star must illuminate it directly, and the observing satellite, in this case, CHEOPS, must be positioned correctly to capture the phenomenon.

ESA Research Fellow Matthew Standing, who studies exoplanets, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this discovery. WASP-76b is a gas giant hundreds of light-years away, known for its extreme heat and likely molten iron rain. Despite these harsh conditions, scientists believe they’ve detected the subtle signs of a glory effect, highlighting the faint yet remarkable signal.