NASA Detects Possible Volcanic Moon 635 Light-Years Away

The existence of exomoons (moons around planets outside our solar system) has long been theorized, but their detection has remained elusive due to their small size and faintness. A new study, however, suggests that a potential exomoon may be orbiting the WASP-49 b, a gas giant planet around another star (also known as an exoplanet). WASP-49 b is located 635 light-years from Earth. Its possible moon is believed to be rocky and volcanically active, similar to Jupiter's moon Io. The study's evidence centers on the detection of a sodium cloud near WASP-49 b that was discovered in 2017, and which shares characteristics with the gas emissions seen around Io. In the new study, scientists tracked the cloud’s motion and the data strongly indicate the presence of a separate orbiting body – an exomoon – as the source. While further observations are needed to confirm this exomoon's existence, current findings support its presence. If WASP-49 b indeed hosts a moon similar in size to Earth, it may face a violent fate, as gravitational forces from the exoplanet could eventually cause it to disintegrate. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech