The James Webb Space Telescope has detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of an exoplanet

Just a few days ago we wrote new images of Jupiter captured by James Webb space telescope. These are very beautiful images that demonstrate the potential of the new scientific instrument which still has a long operational life ahead of it. But obviously the JWST it’s not just meant for “make us dream” with wonderful images (such as those shown on July 12), the telescope is in fact able to collect new data thanks to the on-board instruments.

Thanks to this potential it was possible to detect the presence of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the’atmosphere of a exoplanet. Scientists have used JWST to characterize WASP-39 ba gas giant that is 700 light years from Earth and orbits a star similar to our Sun. This is an important element because, although it is not a planet like ours, it provides important elements to understand how planets evolve in other solar systems.

The James Webb Space Telescope and carbon dioxide on WASP-39 b

During the conference for the announcement of the first images, the characterization of the atmosphere of an exoplanet had already been discussed: in that case, however, it was WASP-96 b where scientists had detected water vapor that would spread as a kind of “Mist”. In the case of WASP-39 b instead the concentration ofcarbon dioxide attracted attention. Now I study resulting was accepted for publication in Nature.

WASP-39 b, as mentioned, it is an exoplanet similar to Saturn in mass with a diameter that is, however, 1.3 times that of Jupiter. This its form “swollen” it is partly due to the temperature (around 900 ° C) caused by the proximity to the star around which it orbits in four days, about 1/8 of the Sun-Mercury distance. Previous observations with other telescopes had detected elements such as sodium and potassium as well as water vapor (and the absence of methane) but, thanks to James Webb space telescopethecarbon dioxide.

The analysis was possible thanks to the transit ofexoplanet in front of the star with the light of the latter passing through the atmosphere and which can therefore be characterized by varying the wavelength by establishing which elements it is composed of. The tool of the JWST employed for this survey was NIRSpec where the spectrum between 4.1 µm and 4.6 µm highlighted the presence of carbon dioxide clearly (the analysis was performed between 3 µm and 5.5 µm).

Scientists were surprised by the capabilities of James Webb space telescope and now we are looking at the possibility of characterizing smaller, Earth-like exoplanets. In general, the aim is to have an idea of ​​how other solar systems form and evolve over time, thus finding similarities and differences with ours. The first observation campaign of the new space telescope will last five years, which could be extended to ten (or even up to twenty given the propellant saved thanks to the precise launch of Ariane 5). Much remains to be observed and this is only the beginning.

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