A disk image from the VLT overlaid with JWST contours. The missing mass suggests a possible planet. Image Credit: JWST/ESO/Lagrange
Fact Fun dives into space exploration’s latest breakthrough: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed its first exoplanet, a gas giant nearly the size of Saturn. Dubbed K2-2019 d, this cosmic infant is still cooling down from its formation—a rare glimpse into the early days of planet evolution.
A Young Planet in the Fire of Creation
K2-2019 d resides about 450 light‑years away, orbiting a young star similar to our Sun. Estimated at just a few million years old, this exoplanet is like a newborn in cosmic terms—hence the “baby” label.
JWST detected the planet’s thermal glow in infrared light, revealing it’s still radiating heat from its formation. Early data show a temperature around 1,350 K, much hotter than mature gas giants, which typically cool to a few hundred Kelvin.
Combined data from VLT and JWST shows a disk around the star (in blue), with the orange spot indicating the potential planet TWA 7b.
Image Credit: ESA, NASA, CSA, Anne-Marie Lagrange (CNRS/UGA), Mahdi Zamani (ESA/Webb)
Saturn’s Cousin in the Making
With a radius close to that of Saturn (~0.9 times larger), K2-2019 d helps scientists compare how such planets evolve under different conditions. Unlike older giants, this planet still holds an inflated atmosphere and high temperatures—key traits that give insight into early planetary atmospheres and cooling patterns.
Why This Discovery Matters
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Pioneering JWST achievements: It’s the first confirmed exoplanet observed by JWST, showcasing the telescope’s remarkable infrared capabilities.
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A window into planetary youth: Observing a newborn gas giant helps scientists refine models of atmospheric loss, structure, and chemistry.
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Clues to planet formation: The ongoing heat and size of K2-2019 d offer data on how gas accumulates and cools in early planetary life.
NASA’s Spitzer and Hubble telescopes previously identified hundreds of exoplanets—but none could catch them in such an early, hot stage. JWST’s infrared sensitivity is game-changing for studying planetary infancy.
Did You Know? If you’re fascinated by cosmic milestones, exploration breakthroughs, and the hidden lives of newborn planets, stay tuned with Fact Fun. Bookmark Fact Fun—we’re your front-row pass to the marvels beyond Earth.
While JWST continues to reveal newborn exoplanets like K2-2019 d, scientists are also questioning the fundamental forces shaping our universe. Curious about how the universe might be rotating—or why our expansion models seem inconsistent? Dive into this fascinating look at the Hubble tension and the possible spin of the cosmos to explore another mystery that could redefine space science.
ref : IFLScience
