The discoveries are linked to James Webb. The new telescope, which recently captured stunning images, helped scientists detect CO2 in the atmosphere of an exoplanet located more than 700 light-years from Earth. This is the first time carbon dioxide has been found on a planet outside the solar system.

The observed star is a huge gaseous planet called WASP-39b. It has, according to the NASA press release, a diameter 1.3 times larger than Jupiter, but it is the largest planet in the solar system. This giant planet orbits very close to its sun, going around the star in just 4 Earth days.

in search of life

In addition to CO2, James Webb made it possible to detect sodium, water vapor and potassium in the atmosphere of this planet. This discovery once again demonstrates the many capabilities of the telescope. Other planet atmospheres will now be observed, in particular to find out whether the conditions for the creation of life are met there.

Space experts and enthusiasts will be able to learn the full results of the WASP-39b observation in a few days, as a publication in the magazine Nature It is planned.

Given this new announcement, NASA revealed new images of Jupiter on Monday, showing in particular auroras located at the poles of the planet in the solar system. Enough to promise the next few months full of discoveries.