SPACE

James Webb Space Telescope has made its first-ever discovery of a planet outside our solar system

June 26, 2025
Apple Majait

Webb Telescope Makes History: First Direct Image of a Previously Unknown Exoplanet

An image showing the protoplanetary disk surrounding the star TWA 7, captured by the SPHERE instrument of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, is displayed alongside an overlay from the James Webb Space Telescope's MIRI instrument. This image was released on June 25, 2025, highlighting the empty region around the exoplanet.
An image showing the protoplanetary disk surrounding the star TWA 7, captured by the SPHERE instrument of the Very Large Telescope in Chile, is displayed alongside an overlay from the James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI instrument. This image was released on June 25, 2025, highlighting the empty region around the exoplanet.

Revolutionary Discovery Opens New Chapter in Exoplanet Research

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), already renowned for its groundbreaking insights into the early universe, has achieved another monumental feat: the direct imaging of a previously unknown exoplanet. This young gas giant, roughly the size of Saturn, orbits a star smaller than our sun, located approximately 110 light-years away in the constellation Antlia. This marks a significant milestone, as less than 2% of the roughly 5,900 exoplanets discovered since the 1990s have been directly imaged.

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A Tiny Giant: Unprecedented Sensitivity

While substantial in size relative to our solar system, this newly discovered exoplanet is remarkably light. At ten times less massive than the previously smallest directly imaged exoplanet, this discovery showcases the unparalleled sensitivity of JWST’s instruments. The achievement was made possible by a French-produced coronagraph installed on Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which effectively blocks the blinding light of the host star, TWA 7, allowing for clear observation of the orbiting planet.

Expanding the Horizons of Exoplanet Research

“Webb opens a new window – in terms of mass and the distance of a planet to the star – of exoplanets that had not been accessible to observations so far,” explains lead author Anne-Marie Lagrange of the French research agency CNRS and LIRA/Observatoire de Paris. This discovery, published in Nature, significantly advances our understanding of exoplanetary systems, their formation, and evolution.

A Distant Orbit and a Young System

The exoplanet orbits TWA 7 at a distance 52 times greater than Earth’s distance from the sun—far beyond the reach of the transit method, the most common technique for exoplanet detection. This method relies on observing the slight dimming of a star’s light as a planet transits, or passes in front of it—a technique most effective for planets orbiting close to their stars. The newly discovered system itself is remarkably young, estimated to be only 6 million years old, a mere fraction of our solar system’s 4.5 billion years.

Unveiling Planetary System Structure

The unique observational angle, essentially a top-down view of the system, allowed researchers to analyze the structure of the remaining protoplanetary disk. This disk, composed of rocky and dusty material, exhibits two broad concentric rings and a narrower ring where the planet resides. While the planet’s atmospheric composition remains unknown, future JWST observations are planned to address this. Further research will also explore whether the young planet is still actively accumulating mass from its surroundings.

Looking to the Future: Earth-Sized Exoplanets and the Search for Life

Though a significant leap forward, this exoplanet, while the smallest directly imaged to date, is still far more massive than rocky planets like Earth. Direct imaging of Earth-sized exoplanets remains a challenge, even for JWST. However, Lagrange expresses optimism: “Looking forward, I do hope the projects of direct imaging of Earth-like planets and searches for possible signs of life will become a reality.” This groundbreaking discovery paves the way for future explorations, bringing us closer to answering fundamental questions about the diversity of planetary systems and the potential for life beyond our own.

Webb Telescope Captures Potential Saturn-Mass Exoplanet: A Milestone in Planetary Imaging

Astronomers have achieved a groundbreaking feat using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): the direct imaging of a potential Saturn-mass exoplanet, tentatively designated TWA 7b. This discovery marks the first time JWST has directly observed a planet outside our solar system, and if confirmed, TWA 7b would hold the title of the lightest exoplanet ever directly imaged. This remarkable achievement opens a new chapter in our understanding of planetary formation and evolution.

The exoplanet candidate resides within a fascinating system. It orbits a young red dwarf star, classified as a T Tauri star, located approximately 111 light-years away in the constellation Antlia. This youthful star, a mere 6.4 million years old, is still surrounded by a vast debris disk – a testament to its relatively recent formation. This disk, previously observed by ground-based telescopes, is composed of three concentric dust rings, a celestial structure that provides a unique context for understanding the planet’s formation and evolution.

The detection of TWA 7b was made possible by JWST’s powerful Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Within the intricate architecture of the star’s debris disk, the team, led by Anne-Marie Lagrange of the Paris Observatory, identified a faint infrared source. This faint signal, nestled within one of the three dust rings, is the telltale sign of TWA 7b. The ability to directly image such a faint object highlights the unparalleled sensitivity and resolution of JWST’s MIRI instrument.

The confirmation of TWA 7b’s planetary nature requires further investigation. While the initial observations are extremely promising, additional data and analysis are needed to rule out alternative explanations for the observed infrared source. However, the preliminary findings are incredibly exciting, suggesting the potential for JWST to revolutionize our ability to directly image and characterize exoplanets, particularly those with masses comparable to Saturn. This discovery paves the way for future studies of similar systems, promising to unveil a wealth of information about the processes that shape planetary systems beyond our own. The implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the diversity of exoplanets are profound, and this is just the beginning of a new era of exoplanet exploration.

Webb Telescope Snaps Potential Saturn-Sized Exoplanet: A Giant Leap for Planetary Imaging

A team of astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have captured a stunning image of what could be a Saturn-mass exoplanet, a discovery that is sending ripples of excitement through the scientific community. This potential exoplanet, tentatively named TWA 7b, marks a monumental achievement: the first direct image of a planet outside our solar system by JWST. If confirmed, TWA 7b would also claim the title of the lightest exoplanet ever directly imaged.

This groundbreaking discovery opens a new window into the mysteries of planetary formation and evolution, offering unprecedented insights into worlds beyond our own. The exoplanet candidate orbits a young, red dwarf star – a T Tauri star – located a relatively close 111 light-years away in the constellation Antlia. This youthful star, a mere 6.4 million years old, is still cradled within a vast, intricate debris disk, a swirling cloud of dust and gas that hints at its recent formation. This disk, previously observed by ground-based telescopes, boasts three distinct concentric dust rings, providing a unique astrophysical laboratory for studying planetary evolution.

The detection of TWA 7b was made possible by JWST’s incredibly sensitive Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Within the complex structure of the star’s debris disk, the team, led by Anne-Marie Lagrange of the Paris Observatory, identified a faint infrared signal. This subtle glow, nestled within one of the three dust rings, is the potential signature of TWA 7b. The ability to directly image such a faint object underscores the extraordinary capabilities of JWST’s MIRI, pushing the boundaries of our observational power.

While the initial findings are incredibly promising, further investigation is needed to confirm TWA 7b’s planetary nature. Additional data and analysis are required to eliminate other potential explanations for the observed infrared source. However, the preliminary results are overwhelmingly exciting, suggesting a future where JWST will revolutionize our ability to directly image and characterize exoplanets, particularly those with masses similar to Saturn.

This discovery is not just a technological triumph; it’s a pivotal moment in our understanding of planetary systems. It paves the way for future studies of similar systems, promising to unlock a treasure trove of information about the processes that sculpt planetary systems far beyond our own. The implications for our understanding of planetary formation and the sheer diversity of exoplanets are profound. This is only the beginning of a new, thrilling era of exoplanet exploration. The universe, it seems, is even more wondrous than we ever imagined.