WASP-96 b: A Planet with Sodium-Rich Atmosphere

Images source: NASA, Representative images

A Hot, Puffy Gas Giant Located in Phoenix Constellation

An international team at NASA found that WASP-96 b is a world with a sodium-rich atmosphere. The planet is located nearly 1,150 light-years from Earth and orbits its star every 3.4 days. It is located in the southern-sky constellation Phoenix.

WASP-96 b is Half the Mass of Jupiter

WASP-96 b is about half the mass of Jupiter. According to NASA, WASP-96 b is much puffier than any planet orbiting our Sun.

Planet's Discovery announced in 2014

WASP-96 b's discovery was announced in 2014. Eight years later, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured the distinct signature of water, along with evidence of clouds and haze, in the atmosphere of the planet.