‘A hot alien planet’: James Webb Telescope just solved a major space mystery

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Hidden Worlds

[{"selector":"#anim-e6c8d9b3-7e68-4f85-be73-a5e3a0a387a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-17.679318805733544%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Sub-Neptunes—mysterious, gassy planets—are the most common in our galaxy, yet none orbit our Sun. Representative pic

Cloudy Mystery

[{"selector":"#anim-8b4fc58a-114a-4706-a80d-7e771b51630a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e1ec471d-d947-4f1b-8f67-bbeeafb33763","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(95.26185%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Until now, their thick, hazy atmospheres blocked chemical readings, leaving scientists puzzled. Representative pic

Webb Breakthrough

[{"selector":"#anim-38a1c83a-486a-48a9-bc5a-8874518e7847 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.11036381549702%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] NASA’s James Webb Telescope pierced the haze of TOI-421 b, revealing detailed atmospheric data. Representative pic

Hot Clarity

[{"selector":"#anim-b4f0209f-55cb-44fb-9d47-60bd4504d89b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(24.118880787061972%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] At 1,340°F, TOI-421 b’ s heat may burn off haze—finally exposing its molecular makeup. Representative pic

Spectral Surprise

[{"selector":"#anim-b606cc3b-cf1f-4c36-8f4f-677938438b0c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Water vapor, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide were detected—revealing a chemical fingerprint. Representative pic

Hydrogen Shock

[{"selector":"#anim-7357f556-f4c0-4f07-8a67-27a3fd2fbd8d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.4868995751603507e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Scientists were stunned to find TOI-421 b’s atmosphere dominated by hydrogen—unlike other sub-Neptunes. Representative pic

Formation Clues

[{"selector":"#anim-51475960-9f64-47bf-a9d4-aae2c914f9d7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.58238627615084%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] This unique composition hints at different evolutionary paths among sub- Neptunes across the galaxy. Representative pic

Solar Riddle

[{"selector":"#anim-a55f7249-29f2-4bfc-89c5-a422f336178c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Why don’t these common exoplanets exist in our solar system? Webb’s findings bring us closer to answers. Representative pic

New Roadmap

[{"selector":"#anim-83a5cf2c-4048-4f22-b41a-3f6b7da8b011 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.2596979519400473%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Hotter sub-Neptunes may be the key to unlocking atmospheric secrets and classifying unknown planets. Representative pic

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