Rare Earth Elements Found in Exoplanets

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemical elements that are vital to various technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and medical equipment. These elements are called "rare" because they are not found in large quantities and are difficult to extract. However, recent studies have shown that rare earth elements are not only present on Earth but also in exoplanets outside our solar system.

Terbium in Exoplanet's Atmosphere

According to a study published in the Astrophysical Journal, scientists have discovered terbium, a rare earth element, in the atmosphere of an exoplanet called WASP-121b. This exoplanet is a gas giant that is about 900 light-years away from Earth. The researchers used the Gran Telescopio Canarias in the Canary Islands to observe the exoplanet's atmosphere and found that it contains significant amounts of terbium.

Terbium is used in electronic devices such as fluorescent lamps, color television tubes, and X-ray imaging systems. It is also used in nuclear reactors as a control rod material. The discovery of terbium in an exoplanet's atmosphere suggests that rare earth elements may be present in other exoplanets, which could have implications for future space exploration and mineral extraction.

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Gadolinium and Terbium in KELT-9b

Another study published in Nature Astronomy found that the exoplanet KELT-9b, the hottest planet in the galaxy, contains both gadolinium and terbium. KELT-9b is a gas giant that orbits very close to its host star, resulting in a temperature of around 4,300 degrees Celsius (7,800 degrees Fahrenheit). The researchers used the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) instrument to detect the rare earth elements in KELT-9b's atmosphere.

Gadolinium is used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, and terbium is used in lasers and fuel cells. The discovery of these elements in KELT-9b's atmosphere suggests that they may also be present in other exoplanets, which could have implications for the development of new technologies and space exploration.

Yttrium in HD 209458b

In a study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, scientists have discovered yttrium, another rare earth element, in the atmosphere of HD 209458b, a gas giant that is about 150 light-years away from Earth. The researchers used the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope to observe the exoplanet's atmosphere and found that it contains significant amounts of yttrium.

Yttrium is used in superconductors, lasers, and cancer treatment drugs. The discovery of yttrium in an exoplanet's atmosphere suggests that rare earth elements may be present in other exoplanets, which could have implications for the development of new technologies and space exploration.

Rare earth elements are essential for modern technology and are not only present on Earth but also in exoplanets outside our solar system. Recent studies have shown that terbium, gadolinium, and yttrium are present in the atmospheres of exoplanets such as WASP-121b, KELT-9b, and HD 209458b. The discovery of these elements suggests that rare earth elements may be present in other exoplanets, which could have implications for the development of new technologies and space exploration.

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