Jakarta –
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a discovery planet extrasolar for the first time. The researchers confirmed the planet orbiting this other star as LHS 475 b.
This discovery was presented by researchers at the press conference of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
A research team led by Kevin Stevenson and Jacob Lustig-Yaeger of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland have been observing this target carefully.
With the Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), the Webb Telescope captured the planet easily and clearly with just two transit observations.
“There is no doubt that the planet exists. Webb’s original data validates it,” said Lustig-Yaeger, quoted from NASA’s official website.
The size of the planet is almost the same as Earth
Researchers explain that planet This new planet is almost the same size as planet Earth with a diameter of 99% of Earth’s diameter.
“The fact that this planet is also small and rocky is very impressive for observatories,” said Stevenson.
“These first observations of an Earth-sized rocky planet open the door to many future possibilities for studying the atmospheres of rocky planets with Webb,” added Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Has a Hotter Temperature than Earth
The team also noted that although the planet may not have an atmosphere, it does have some atmospheric composition that shouldn’t be ruled out, such as an atmosphere of pure carbon dioxide.
“In contrast, an atmosphere of 100% carbon dioxide is much denser, making it very difficult to detect,” said Lustig-Yaeger.
According to him, more precise measurements need to be taken to distinguish a pure carbon dioxide atmosphere from and no atmosphere at all.
Another fact found by the Webb Telescope is that the planet is several hundred degrees warmer than Earth.
That led the researchers to conclude that the planet is more like Venus, which has an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and is constantly shrouded in thick clouds.
Researchers also say that the planet completes its orbit in just two days.
“We are at the forefront of learning exoplanet small and rocky. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what their atmosphere is like,” said Lustig-Yaeger.
Watch Video “Appearance of Earth Captured by NASA’s Artemis 1 Rocket Camera“
[Gambas:Video 20detik]
(phase/gas)
