The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured the first direct image of a distant, frigid planet in our solar system’s orbit. 14 Herculis c, or 14 Her c for short, orbits a sunlike star about 60 light-years from Earth and is estimated to be around 4 billion years old.
The exoplanet appears as a faint, fuzzy orange dot with an atmospheric temperature of just 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius). Its orbit is tilted at an angle of about 40 degrees to its companion planet, creating an “X”-like crossing pattern around their star. This unusual layout may have been caused by the early ejection of a third massive planet from the system.
The JWST’s specialized coronagraph device allowed scientists to isolate the planet’s faint infrared glow. Initial analysis suggests that carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are present in the atmosphere, with strong updrafts carrying hot gases upwards. This reduces the heat escaping into space, making the planet appear cooler than expected.
This image marks a significant milestone for direct imaging of exoplanets, which are usually too dim to detect. The discovery broadens our understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve, and scientists hope to gain insights into how our own solar system came to be.
The study’s lead author notes that observing 14 Her c has provided valuable information about older, colder exoplanets. By examining diverse planetary masses, temperatures, and orbital histories, researchers aim to shed light on the complex processes governing planetary formation.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/exoplanets/jwst-spies-frigid-alien-world-on-bizarre-orbit-one-of-the-coldest-oldest-and-faintest-planets-that-weve-imaged-to-date