The James Webb Space Telescope has achieved a major milestone by allowing the observation of the atmosphere of the exoplanet GJ 1214 blocated 50 light years away, considered as “the white whale” of scientists.
This planet, dubbed a mini-Neptune, has been challenging astronomers for 15 years. due to its hazy nature and complicated atmospheric propertiesin accordance with Digital Trends.
With approximately three times the diameter of the Earth, GJ 1214 b has a thick atmosphere and ice sheets similar to Neptune. Although the planet is believed to contain abundant water, it is in the form of vapor due to its high surface temperature. This feature has contributed to the cloudiness of its atmosphere, making earlier observations difficult.
Thanks to the Webb Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), researchers have been able to analyze temperature variations across the planet. This has allowed them to reveal information about the composition of the atmosphere and determine that the average temperature of the planet is 230 degrees Celsius.
the mystery of the mist
The study’s lead author, Eliza Kempton of the University of Maryland, explained that the planet is completely covered by some form of haze or cloud coverwhich had hidden its atmosphere until now.
This observation, published in the journal Nature, was made possible by the unique capabilities of the James Webb telescope and shows how new tools can unravel the mysteries of exoplanet research.
Scientists have described GJ 1214 b as a “white whale characterization of the atmosphere of exoplanets”highlighting the importance of these advances for future research on the composition and climate of distant planets.
Rob Zellem, an exoplanet researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, noted that this discovery has exciting implications for better understanding the atmospheric physics of this planet.