Thick cloud decks induce variability in atmospheres of molten super-Earths

Molten super-Earths are ideal candiates to probe the interior compositions of rocky exoplanets due to the possibility of direct measurements of the magma composition by probing the vapours that are outgassed. 55 Cnc e is one extensively observed planet falling into this category. The atmosphere of this hot super-Earth shows sub-weekly variability in emission (Demory et al. 2016, Meier-Valdez et al. 2023, Patel et al. 2024).  Among the suggested  reaons for this is an outgassing – cloud formation cycle (Loftus et al. 2025). We constuct a pipeline which combines radiative transfer with equilibrium chemistry, a cloud formation model, and outgassing of the magma to investigate whether variable cloud decks can form in atmospheres of lava worlds. We find that this can happen at timescales which are in agreement with the sub-weekly variability observed on 55 Cnce by Patel et al. 2024.  A thick cloud deck is crucial to induce a change in outgassing and in emission in the wavelength range of JWST. We conclude that cloud-outgassing cycles could occur on molten super-Earths and that they can be observed by current and future instruments like JWST and Ariel. Further observations and modeling efforts are needed to  confirm or falsify if such a  cycle is the reason for the variabilitty observed on 55 Cnce.
In this talk I will focus on the conditions required for variable cloud formation and outgassing as well as on the variability in emission we expect in the wavelength range of JWST during multiple stages of the cycle and how this compares to observations of 55 Cnce.