Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered what they think could be a planet forming outside of the solar system.
A study led by the University of Michigan, University of Arizona and University of Victoria aimed the telescope at a planet-forming region that has been studied before and unexpectedly found a new planet candidate.
Three research papers that included the investigations were published in the Astronomical Journal earlier this month.
Future observations will help us understand exactly what we are looking at
Gabriele Cugno,
astronomer
Planets form in disks of dust and gas called protoplanetary disks that rotate around a central protostar (a young star) during its final assembly. The astronomers were hunting for a protostar called SAO 206462 but instead found the possible planet.
“Several simulations suggest that the planet (SAO 206462) should be within the disk, massive, large, hot, and bright. But we didn’t find it,” said astronomer Gabriele Cugno, who led the study.
“This means that either the planet is much colder than we think, or it may be obscured by some material that prevents us from seeing it.
“What we have found is a different planet candidate, but we cannot tell with 100 per cent certainty whether it’s a planet or a faint background star or galaxy contaminating our image.
“Future observations will help us understand exactly what we are looking at.”
New technology
The Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes have studied the same disk in the past, with observations that showed a disk composed of two strong spirals, usually launched by a forming planet.
The planet the researchers behind the recent study expected to find is similar to Jupiter – a gas giant of mostly hydrogen and helium.
“The problem is, whatever we’re trying to detect is hundreds of thousands, if not millions of times fainter than the star,” said Mr Cugno.
“That’s like trying to detect a little light bulb next to a lighthouse.”
To look more closely into the disk, the team used an instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope called NIRCam – a science camera that detects infrared light.
This helped initially to detect the planet by capturing its thermal radiation, as well as observing emission lines from materials that are falling on to the planet and hitting its surface with high velocity.
“When material falls on to the planet, it shocks at the surface and gives off an emission line at specific wavelengths,” said Mr Cugno.
“We use a set of narrow-band filters to try to detect this accretion. This has been done before from the ground at optical wavelengths, but this is the first time it’s been done in the infrared with JWST.”
Astronomers need to study new planets as it gives them data about the formation process and how chemical elements get distributed throughout a planetary system.
Studying gas giants like Jupiter, outside the solar system and how they shape disks, would help deepen scientists' understanding of planets.
Some astronomers think that these gas giants regulate the delivery of water to rocky planets that are forming in the inner parts of disks.
Learning this science could shed more light on the properties and evolution of protoplanetary disks that later give rise to rocky, Earth-like planets.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
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