Webb lifts veil on common but mysterious type of exoplanet

The Most Common Type of Exoplanet Was Difficult To Observe Until the JWST Came Along

The idea that our Solar System is representative of other solar systems hasn't survived the age of exoplanet discovery. Kepler and TESS have shown us that our system doesn't even contain the most common type of planet: sub-Neptunes. These planets pose a mystery to planetary scientists, and the JWST is helping unravel the mystery.

Webb lifts veil on common but mysterious type of exoplanet

Though they don't orbit around our sun, sub-Neptunes are the most common type of exoplanet, or planet outside our solar system, that have been observed in our galaxy. These small, gassy planets are shrouded in mystery…and often, a lot of haze. Now, by observing exoplanet TOI-421 b, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is helping scientists understand sub-Neptunes in a way that was not possible prior to the telescope's launch.

Scientists thought they had a pretty good idea of what the atmosphere of a sub-Neptune is like. But new research turns everything upside down. This can be read in the journal The Astrophysical Journal Letters. A leading role in this research article is reserved for the atmosphere of sub-Neptune TOI-421b, which – unlike […] More science? Read the latest articles on Scientias.nl .

NASA's Webb revealed the common but mysterious type of exoplanet

The mysterious type of exoplanet TOI-421 b offers new insights into atmospheric science. Learn what NASA has discovered.

NASA's Webb Lifts Veil on Common but Mysterious Type of Exoplanet

Much smaller than gas-giants and typically cooler than hot Jupiters, sub-Neptunes were extremely challenging to observe before the launch of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. Though they appear to be the most common type of exoplanet in our galaxy, you won't find them in our solar system.

Webb Telescope Uncovers Mysteries of Common Exoplanet Types

In the vast expanse of our galaxy, beyond the familiar boundaries of our solar system, lies a category of planets that have captivated the curiosity of astronomers: sub-Neptunes. These celestial bodies, although they do not orbit our Sun, are the most frequently observed type of exoplanets—planets located outside our solar system. Characterized by their small, […]