The first exoplanet discovery was just confirmed by researchers using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The Earth-sized planet, officially designated LHS 475 b, measures around 99% of our planet's diameter.
(Photo : NASA/NASA via Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED: In this NASA digital illustration handout released on February 22, 2017, an artist's concept allows us to imagine what it would be like to stand on the surface of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1f, located in the TRAPPIST-1 system in the constellation Aquarius, this planet is thought to be tidally locked to its star, meaning the same face of the planet is always pointed at the star,
Capturing an Earth-like World
After carefully examining targets of interest from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which suggested the planet's presence, the team decided to examine this target with Webb.
With just two transit observations, Webb's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) was able to capture the planet clearly and effortlessly.
These first observational data from an Earth-sized planet usher in several opportunities for investigating rocky planets thanks to Webb's powerful capabilities, according to Mark Clampin, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Even though the mission is still in its early stages, Clampin said that Webb is helping astronomers acquire knowledge of Earth-like worlds outside of our solar system.
NASA notes that Webb is the only one capable of characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets among all active telescopes. The research team aimed to determine what is present in its atmosphere by examining the transmission spectrum of the planet.
Does LHS 475 b Have an Exoplanet?
Even though the data indicates that the exoplanet has a size similar to our planet, they are yet to find out whether it has an atmosphere.
The team notes that alternate atmospheric compositions, including an atmosphere comprised completely of carbon dioxide, have not been ruled out, even if it is possible that the planet has no atmosphere.
According to Webb's data, the planet is a few hundred degrees warmer than our planet. Hence, if clouds are discovered, researchers may conclude that the planet is similar to Venus, which has a carbon dioxide atmosphere and is enveloped in dense clouds.
As a result of Webb's accurate light curve, the researchers were also able to determine that the planet completes its orbit in two days.
The researchers hypothesize that LHS 475 b may still have an atmosphere despite closely orbiting its star than any planet in our solar system and having a red dwarf star that is just slightly hotter than the Sun.
Additionally, LHS 475 b is around 41 light-years away in the constellation Octans, making it a nearby object.
The team's full findings were disclosed at an American Astronomical Society (AAS) press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
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