The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has made groundbreaking discoveries in exoplanet studies, shedding light on their atmospheres and formation processes. Recent observations of the gas giant planets in HR 8799 system revealed carbon dioxide presence, indicating similarities with our own Solar System’s formation.
HR 8799 is a remarkable exoplanetary system located 130 light-years from Earth, featuring four massive gas giants orbiting a young star about 30 million years old. The planets’ estimated masses are between 5 and 10 times that of Jupiter.
The study, led by William Balmer, used JWST’s NIRCam coronagraph technology to block starlight and analyze specific wavelengths absorbed by gases. This revealed higher concentrations of heavy elements in the HR 8799 planets than previously thought.
These findings suggest that the system’s four giant planets formed through core accretion, similar to our Solar System’s Jupiter and Saturn. Understanding this process helps scientists classify planetary systems throughout the galaxy.
The discovery is significant as only a handful of exoplanets have been directly imaged due to the enormous brightness difference between planets and their host stars. JWST’s technology has enabled these groundbreaking observations, which will continue to shape our understanding of exoplanet formation and the Solar System.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/jwst-detects-carbon-dioxide-outside-solar-system-for-first-time