US EditionWebb Telescope Finds Hints of Atmosphere on Distant Planet
Scientists observed four transits of TRAPPIST-1e with the James Webb Space Telescope in 2023, showing possible nitrogen-rich atmosphere but more data is needed to confirm.
- Scientists reported tentative evidence of an atmosphere on TRAPPIST-1e, based on four James Webb Space Telescope transit observations and published in two Astrophysical Journal Letters papers.
- TRAPPIST-1e sits in its star's habitable zone as the fourth of seven planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1, about 40 light years away, with mass comparable to Earth's, enabling potential liquid water if an atmosphere exists.
- The team cautioned that `What we have found with JWST in these first four observations helps refine the earlier Hubble measurements and reveals there might now be hints of an atmosphere, but we cannot yet rule out the possibility there is nothing to detect` and noted that in the coming years observations will increase to nearly 20.
- The research team is now obtaining more JWST transits and will compare planet e's signals with planet b's data, reporting the planet likely lacks its original hydrogen atmosphere.
- Researchers say the result marks a significant step in searching for habitable worlds, as part of the JWST-TST DREAMS programme led by Dr Nikole Lewis and involving more than 30 scientists from the U.K., U.S., and India.
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NASA Studies Earth-Like Planet for Potential Alien Life
Artist’s impression of TRAPPIST-1e planet. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are closely examining a distant Earth-like planet in hopes of uncovering signs of life beyond our solar system. The planet, known as TRAPPIST-1e, lies about 40 light-years away and sits in the so-called habitable zone — a region around a star where conditions may allow liquid water to exist. …
NewScientist
Anti-Aging, Acupuncture and Health NewsExoplanet 40 light years from Earth may have right conditions for life
The planet TRAPPIST-1e lies in its star’s Goldilocks zone, where water remains liquid – and an analysis suggests it might have a nitrogen-rich atmosphere like Earth’s
Study finds exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e is unlikely to have a Venus- or Mars-like atmosphere
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers find the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e is unlikely to have a Venus- or Mars-like atmosphere. While it is still possible for the planet to have an atmosphere, it is unlikely to be a thick, hydrogen-rich one.
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