"It's Just as Expected"... James Webb Telescope Opens a New Era in Space Observation [Reading Science]

NASA Releases 4 Additional Full-Color Images on the 12th
Water Found on an Exoplanet 1150 Light-Years Away
Begins In-Depth Search for Secrets of Universe Creation and Origins of Life
Astronomy Community Says "Opening a New Horizon in Space Exploration"

[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, is opening a new era in space observation. With a much larger and brighter eye than before, it has begun to peer into the depths of the universe, causing a stir from the outset by confirming the presence of water in the atmosphere of an exoplanet for the first time.

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

The most striking image was the confirmation of water on an exoplanet. JWST captured and transmitted a spectral image of the exoplanet WASP-96b, located 1,150 light-years from Earth, revealing the presence of water in the form of water vapor in its atmosphere. NASA explained, "The Webb telescope captured distinct features of water along with clouds and haze in the atmosphere surrounding the exoplanet," adding, "This confirms that the Webb telescope possesses unprecedented atmospheric analysis capabilities." This planet is a giant gas planet located in the constellation Phoenix, with a mass about half that of Jupiter.

Photos of Stephan’s Quintet, one of the most famous celestial objects in astronomy, were also released. This galaxy cluster, located about 290 million light-years away in the constellation Pegasus, consists of five galaxies, four of which appear to be engaged in a gravitational dance, repeatedly interacting as if dancing. NASA described it as "a scene of colliding galaxies that provides new insights into the evolutionary process of the universe." Also released was an image of the Carina Nebula (NGC 3324), well known as a cradle of stars. Using the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), it revealed star-forming regions never seen before.

A majestic image resembling a "cosmic cliff" and baby stars were captured. A photo of the Southern Ring Nebula (NGC 3132), located 2,500 light-years from Earth, was also distributed that day. This planetary nebula emits dust clouds as a star dies, and its details can be observed far more clearly than in images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA stated, "We can now conduct more detailed studies of the gas and cosmic dust emitted by dying stars."

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden held a preview event at the White House the previous afternoon and unveiled the SMACS 0723 galaxy cluster image. It is a much higher resolution image than those taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and, being a long-wavelength infrared image, captured thousands of new galaxies beyond the cluster. Notably, it was the first time the "primordial light" emitted by galaxies formed around 13.1 billion years ago, shortly after the Big Bang 13.8 billion years ago, was captured, drawing significant attention.

▲James Webb Space Telescope to be launched next year. [Photo by NASA/Northrop Grumman]

Scientists are brimming with anticipation, saying a new horizon in astronomy has begun to open. Dr. Kang Sung-joo, an astronomy expert at the National Gwacheon Science Museum, said, "With observational capabilities far superior to the Hubble telescope, it is expected to open a new era in astronomy and write a new history," adding, "As the public’s knowledge, interest, and awareness of space increase, related industries will be revitalized, and investments in space observation and development will become more active."

Yang Sung-chul, a senior researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, also said, "Discovering water on a Jupiter-like planet much hotter than Earth is very significant," and expressed hope that "by closely observing and studying Earth-like planets, we can open a new chapter in uncovering the secrets of the origin of life and the search for extraterrestrial life," which is the original purpose.