James Webb Space Telescope captures the first direct image of an extraterrestrial world, and by the looks of it, we sure have a lot to explore.
The space telescope’s success is once again proved by new data showcasing more puzzle pieces from space for astronomers who can’t wait to find out more. Who knows, after all, what the Universe is really hiding, right?
Read out all the information, and make sure you also check out the striking photos below!
JWST Find a Planet Beyond Our Solar System
The HIP 65426 gas giant, 385 light-years away from Earth and found by the James Webb Space Telescope, looks like a little blotch, quite close to the bright star. Via its Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), each focusing on a distinct type of infrared light, the telescope captured images of the alien world.
Take a look below and see it for yourself:
In the near-infrared, HIP 65426 b is around 10,000 times fainter than its host star, while in the mid-infrared, it is just a few thousand times fainter. However, Webb’s sensitivity allowed it to distinguish between the two things.
After observing the star through four distinct filters, the scientists ultimately obtained photos showing the planet as a little blob of light. According to scientists remark, the telescope’s optics are to blame for the blob’s irregular form in each photograph.
FACT: coronographs, including NIRCam and MIRI, obstruct the primary star’s light.
This is a transformative moment, not only for Webb but also for astronomy generally, explained Sasha Hinkley, an astronomer at the University of Exeter in the U.K.
Hinkley was also the one who led the observations.
Astronomers may still have many intriguing questions about this planet and the several other planets that Webb will picture in the future, such as their age and chemical makeup. So, we should expect more intriguing data soon!