An international team of astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery by directly imaging an exoplanet, Epsilon Indi Ab, located approximately 12 light-years from Earth. This gas giant, several times the mass of Jupiter, orbits the K-type star Epsilon Indi A, which is similar in age to our Sun but cooler. The planet is notable for being one of the coldest directly imaged exoplanets, with an estimated temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius). The discovery was made using the MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) with a coronagraph, which blocks the starlight to reveal the planet.
Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have directly imaged the exoplanet Epsilon Indi Ab, located about 12 light-years away. This cold planet, several times the mass of Jupiter, orbits the K-type star Epsilon Indi A.
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The exoplanet was previously suggested by indirect measurements, such as the star’s wobble caused by the planet’s gravitational pull. This discovery is significant as it provides a rare opportunity to study a planet with similarities to Jupiter in our solar system, especially in terms of atmospheric composition. The research team, led by Elisabeth Matthews of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, noted that Epsilon Indi Ab’s atmosphere might contain methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, which could absorb shorter wavelengths of light, making the planet appear fainter than expected.
The planet is the twelfth closest known exoplanet to Earth and the closest more massive than Jupiter. Its direct imaging helps astronomers collect light from the planet, allowing for detailed study of its atmospheric properties. The team plans further observations using both photometric and spectroscopic techniques to gather more data. This discovery also sets the stage for future missions, including NASA’s upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which aims to photograph Jupiter-like worlds orbiting Sun-like stars.
🚀 JWST’s Historic Capture: NASA’s Webb Images Cold Exoplanet 12 Light-Years Away🌌
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have captured an incredible image of Eps Ind Ab, a “super-Jupiter” exoplanet. This giant planet, orbiting a red dwarf in the Epsilon Indi system… pic.twitter.com/LcGeWClHGk
— Danny Bargeman (@danny_barg71240) July 25, 2024
These findings were published in the journal Nature and demonstrate the capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope in advancing our understanding of distant worlds and the origins of our universe.
Key Points:
- Astronomers used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to directly image the exoplanet Epsilon Indi Ab, located 12 light-years from Earth.
- Epsilon Indi Ab is a gas giant, several times the mass of Jupiter, and is one of the coldest directly imaged exoplanets.
- The discovery utilized the MIRI instrument with a coronagraph to block starlight, revealing the planet.
- The planet’s atmosphere may contain methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
- Further observations are planned to study the planet’s atmospheric properties.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
