"Water Found in Exoplanet Atmosphere"…James Webb Telescope Additional Images Released [Reading Science]

Data Analyzing the Atmosphere of Exoplanet WASP-96 b

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), known as the "eye of humanity" for exploring the secrets of the primordial universe and searching for extraterrestrial life, has officially begun its mission. After unveiling galaxies formed 13 billion years ago for the first time in history, it is causing a sensation by demonstrating powerful capabilities, including confirming the presence of water in the atmospheres of exoplanets.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revealed four additional images taken by JWST at 10 a.m. local time on the 12th at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. This followed the previous evening’s release by President Joe Biden at the White House of an image of the SMACS 0723 galaxy cluster, believed to have formed shortly after the Big Bang.

James Webb Space Telescope captures 'Stephan's Quintet'

NASA first released a photo of the "Southern Ring Nebula," located about 2,000 light-years from Earth. Next, an image of "Stephan's Quintet," a group of five galaxies in the Pegasus constellation approximately 290 million light-years away from Earth, was unveiled. The name comes from the fact that four of the five galaxies appear to be engaged in a gravitational "dance," repeatedly interacting as if in a push-and-pull. NASA explained, "The colliding galaxies provide new insights into the evolutionary processes of the universe."

NASA also announced that JWST confirmed the presence of water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. Spectral analysis of the exoplanet WASP-96b, located 1,150 light-years from Earth, revealed water in the form of vapor.

NASA stated, "The Webb telescope captured distinct features of water along with clouds and haze in the atmosphere surrounding the exoplanet," confirming that the telescope possesses unprecedented atmospheric analysis capabilities. This planet is a giant gas planet located in the Phoenix constellation, with a mass about half that of Jupiter.

Additionally, several breathtaking images of the "Cosmic Cliffs" within the Carina Nebula, well known as a stellar nursery, and newborn stars were released.

The cosmic cliffs and baby stars of the Vela Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope

Previously, NASA held a preview event at the White House attended by President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, where the SMACS 0723 galaxy cluster image was also unveiled. The image, taken at a much higher resolution than that of the Hubble Space Telescope and in long-wavelength infrared, captured thousands of new galaxies beyond the cluster. Notably, it contained the "first light" emitted by galaxies formed around 13 billion years ago, shortly after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago.

James Webb Telescope image of the Southern Ring Nebula

NASA explained, "This is the farthest and deepest high-resolution image of the universe ever captured by humanity."

JWST, with a primary mirror diameter of 6.5 meters, is considered the most powerful space telescope in human history. Its primary mirror is seven times larger than that of the Hubble telescope, and its performance is 100 times greater. Launched into space on December 25 last year, it is stationed at the Lagrange Point 2, about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, carrying out its mission. The telescope was developed at a cost of approximately 10 billion USD (13.4 trillion KRW) by the United States, the European Union, and Canada.