Researchers confirmed today for the first time the discovery of an exoplanet using the NASA James Webb Space Telescope. Previously classified as LHS 475 b, this planet is almost equal to our own in size, with a diameter 99% equal to that of Earth, and lies 41 light-years away.
The research team chose this target with the Webb after carefully reviewing the other candidates in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite from NASA, which gave a clue to the existence of this planet.
“There is no doubt that the planet is there. The clear data from the Webb telescope confirm this,” said Lusting-Yaeger, one of the leaders of the research team that made the discovery.
What is an exoplanet?
As NASA itself explains, “all the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun. Those that do so in the same way but from other stars are called exoplanets.”
these heavenly bodies they are very difficult to see directly with telescopessince they are hidden by the brightness of their stars.
Due to this, the confirmation of this “small and rocky planet it is impressive for the observatory“Described Kevin Stevenson, the other leader of the research team that discovered this star.
“This first observable result of a rocky planet the size of Earth opens the door to many possibilities to study the atmosphere other celestial bodies of this type,” added Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“Webb is taking us ever closer to understand worlds like Earth outside our solar systemand the mission has just begun,” he concluded.