Science communication for an international astronomy team Painting a [ice]Lava Planet[/ice]
TOI-561 b is an ultra-hot rocky lava world orbiting its star in less than 11 hours. Using about 37 hours of James Webb Space Telescope observations, an international team led from the University of Waterloo by Professor Lisa Dang, with first author Samuel Boucher, found that the planet reflects roughly three-quarters of the starlight that reaches it, much like Venus. Climate models suggest bright silicate clouds above a magma ocean may be the reason.
Nobody can photograph a planet like this up close, so the team needed an artist’s concept that was scientifically grounded and striking enough to carry the story. We worked directly with the researchers to create it. When the University of Waterloo announced the discovery on October 26, 2026, our artwork led the news release, credited to CryoDragon Inc., and it was shared by the University of Birmingham and outlets around the world.
The finished project
How we approached it Case Study: Illustrating What No Camera Can [ice]See[/ice]
An artist’s concept has to be beautiful and honest at the same time. Here’s how we approached it:
Grounded in the Data
The planet reflects about three-quarters of the light that reaches it, comparable to Venus, so we painted a bright, cloud-covered world rather than a dark rock.
Star and Planet Together
The composition shows the planet close to its star, hinting at the intense heat on its dayside.
Made for the Media
Delivered in formats ready for news releases, social media and presentations.
Science Meets Art
Brenda, a physicist, worked through the science with the researchers so every visual choice has a reason.
From Data to Headlines
Scientific illustration is how research reaches people outside the lab. A strong image helps a news story travel, and helps readers understand why a discovery matters.
Read more about the research in the University of Waterloo news release and the University of Birmingham news release. The study, “A Highly Reflective Atmosphere on the Lava World TOI-561 b Revealed by JWST/NIRSpec Phase Curves,” is published in The Astronomical Journal.
We create journal covers, figures and artist’s concepts for researchers around the world. See our scientific illustration services.
- Official artist’s concept
- Worked directly with the researchers
- Exoplanet & star
- Reflective silicate clouds
- Media-ready files
- Credited in university news releases
