JWST Observations Show Lava Planet TOI-561 b Has Unexpectedly Thick Atmosphere

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed that the exoplanet TOI-561 b, a scorching lava world 280 light-years away, maintains a surprisingly thick atmosphere. The planet reflects approximately 75% of incoming starlight, potentially due to mineral clouds acting as a "giant sunscreen," and may be continually replenishing its atmosphere from a global ocean of molten rock. This discovery challenges existing theories about atmospheric stability in extreme planetary environments.