The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of exoplanets. After three years of observing known planets beyond our solar system, it has identified its first new planet, TWA 7b, on June 25, 2025.
- JWST discovers first new exoplanet TWA 7b.
- TWA 7b has the lowest mass of imaged planets.
- CE Antilae is a young star, 111 light-years away.
- Protoplanetary disk shows structures from unseen planets.
- JWST uses coronagraph to detect faint emissions.
- Research published in the journal Nature.
TWA 7b is remarkable not only for being the first exoplanet discovered by JWST but also for having the lowest mass of any directly imaged planet outside our solar system. With a mass approximately 100 times that of Earth, it is ten times lighter than previously known imaged exoplanets.
This discovery prompts intriguing questions about the formation of planets in young star systems. How do these lightweight planets form, and what do they reveal about the early stages of planetary development? Key points include:
- TWA 7b orbits the young star CE Antilae, just 111 light-years away.
- The planet was found within a protoplanetary disk, indicating active planet formation.
- JWST’s advanced technology enables the detection of faint infrared emissions from such low-mass planets.
As we look to the future, the JWST is poised to uncover even more fascinating worlds, reshaping our understanding of planetary formation and the universe at large. What other secrets lie in the cosmos waiting to be discovered?
