NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has released the first-ever image of an exoplanet in a misaligned system, revealing new insights into a cold and chaotic planetary environment. The telescope captured 14 Herculis c, a planet orbiting a star 60 light-years away from Earth, providing a wealth of information about its temperature, atmospheric dynamics, and orbital characteristics.
The exoplanet is estimated to be as cool as 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius) and weighs about seven times the mass of Jupiter. Its unusual orbit takes it closer to the host star than expected, crossing over the star like an “X” with the other planet in the system. Scientists have long been fascinated by such misaligned systems, which can provide clues into the early formation and evolution of planetary systems.
Researchers used Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to image 14 Herculis c, a task made possible by the telescope’s extreme sensitivity in the infrared. The resulting data has shed light on various aspects of the exoplanet’s environment, including its orbit, atmospheric properties, and potential for carbon disequilibrium chemistry.
The discovery offers new perspectives on the dynamics and formation pathways of such systems. By studying 14 Herculis c, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of how small planets like Earth are influenced by larger forces in their respective planetary environments.
With this groundbreaking image, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope continues to push the boundaries of astrophysics research, unraveling mysteries of our universe and expanding human knowledge about the cosmos.
Source: https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-125