Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery, detecting three infant galaxies in the process of formation just 400 to 600 million years after the Big Bang. This remarkable observation provides a glimpse into the enigmatic era of reionization, when the first stars and galaxies illuminated the dark, gas-filled universe.
Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed a surprisingly low concentration of methane in the atmosphere of WASP-107 b, a bloated exoplanet orbiting a star 200 light-years away. This discovery suggests that the planet’s extreme puffiness may be due to factors other than a massive reservoir of gas or a small, rocky core. Instead, intense heat generated by the planet’s highly elliptical orbit and tidal forces from its host star may be causing its atmosphere to expand.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-size planet, SPECULOOS-3 b, orbiting a red dwarf star 55 light-years away. The planet is tidally locked to its star, constantly exposed to intense radiation that has eroded away its atmosphere. Although not habitable for life as we know it, SPECULOOS-3 b provides a unique opportunity to study the geology and chemical composition of an airless, rocky exoplanet.
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have detected the first evidence of an atmosphere around the ultra-hot exoplanet 55 Cancri e. Initially believed to be too hot and close to its star to support an atmosphere, new data from JWST has revealed otherwise. By analyzing the planet’s thermal emissions and chemical composition, scientists have uncovered the presence of a carbon-rich ‘secondary atmosphere’ that is replenished by the planet’s interior.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered that a scorching hot lava planet, believed to be composed of diamond, has grown a second atmosphere after its star destroyed its first atmosphere. Located in a nearby solar system, 55 Cancri e is a super-Earth planet about 8.8 times heavier than Earth and twice its diameter. It orbits its star, Copernicus, very closely, resulting in permanent day and night sides. The planet’s surface temperature reaches up to 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit, making life impossible on its surface.
The James Webb Space Telescope has provided groundbreaking information about exoplanet 55 Cancri e, including the discovery of a possible rocky planet atmosphere outside our solar system. Despite the planet’s inhospitable conditions, including a surface that is likely a bubbling ocean of magma, astronomers have long speculated about the potential for an atmosphere. Utilizing Webb’s NIRCam and MIRI instruments, researchers detected indications of a volatile-rich atmosphere containing carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. They also observed that the planet’s dayside is cooler than expected, suggesting heat transfer to the cooler nightside, possibly through an atmosphere. The researchers theorize that the atmosphere may have formed from gases originating within the planet due to extreme temperatures potentially stripping away gases present during its formation.
Initial observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) hinted at the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of a distant Earth-like planet, K2-18b. However, a new study suggests that the signal could be from methane clouds, casting doubt on the earlier claims of potential life detection. The study models the behavior of DMS in hydrogen-rich atmospheres and finds itunlikely that JWST could distinguish between DMS and methane in the specific wavelengths it examined. However, the team remains hopeful, as JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) may be more capable of detecting DMS and clarifying the planet’s composition.
The Southern Ring Nebula, a planetary nebula located approximately 2,000 light-years away, has been revealed to possess a double-ring structure, suggesting the presence of not one but possibly three stars at its core. This discovery, made using the Submillimeter Array (SMA) and confirmed by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), provides new insights into the formation and evolution of these celestial objects.
Recent advancements in space exploration have facilitated the discovery of numerous exoplanets. The transition toward characterizing these exoplanets has led to a search for chemical signatures or biosignatures associated with life. While Earth serves as a reference point for habitability and life detection, scientists emphasize the need to consider the unique evolutionary trajectories of different planets. Astrobiologists are exploring biosignatures consistent with primitive life forms that may have existed on Earth billions of years ago. By understanding ancient Earth’s atmosphere and life forms, scientists aim to identify biosignatures that could indicate life on exoplanets with similar environmental conditions.
“Deep Sky”, an awe-inspiring IMAX documentary, showcases the incredible imagery captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This 39-minute film follows the telescope’s mission and presents breathtaking cosmic landscapes, exoplanets, and answers to age-old questions about the universe. Directed by Nathaniel Kahn and narrated by Michelle Williams, “Deep Sky” will return to over 300 IMAX screens for one week only in celebration of Earth Day on April 19, 2024.
