Scientists have discovered an exoplanet with the coldest temperatures ever measured on a planetary body, according to recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope. The exoplanet, WD 1856+534 b, is a gas giant and nearly 14 times the size of Jupiter, with surface temperatures averaging around -125 degrees Fahrenheit.
This finding makes it the coldest planet ever detected, surpassing previous records by a significant margin. In contrast, life can grow at temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, but few organisms can survive at temperatures below 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
The discovery was made possible by the advanced infrared optics and spectrometers of the James Webb Space Telescope, which allowed scientists to pinpoint the characteristics of the exoplanet. The team used the Direct Imaging Method to observe how much light is reflected from the surface or atmosphere of the exoplanet, gathering details about its formation and potential biosignatures such as oxygen, water, and methane.
WD 1856+534 b orbits a white dwarf star, which is a hot remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuels. Typically, planets would become engulfed by the white dwarf’s “forbidden zone” during a star’s red giant phase. However, this exoplanet is likely twice as old as the Milky Way and orbits a K-type star in just 1.4 days.
The discovery highlights the potential of advanced telescopes like Webb to detect habitable planets outside our solar system. NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, set to launch in May 2027, will specifically target Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars. Further observations of WD 1856+534 b scheduled for 2025 may identify additional planets, according to the researchers.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/exoplanet-discovered-2020-coldest-temperatures-measured-scientists/story?id=121359946