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Scientists discover dark oxygen in the ocean a discovery that could change our relationship with the planet, and it s not a good one
How many aspects of our galaxy are still unknown to us? In actuality, there are many secrets in this cosmos that are gradually being revealed as a result of technological advancements. Now, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made a startling discovery: an exoplanet they have named GJ 1214 b. It is 48 light years away from the constellation Ophiuchus and has been classified as a sub-Neptune because of its size, which is intermediate between Earth and Neptune if we compare it. Hundreds of scientists have been studying this exoplanet for more than ten years because of its composition. Below, we will share what we know about this amazing discovery!
What is the James Webb?
It is the most sophisticated telescope ever constructed on Earth. It was a joint venture between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) and is owned by NASA. Since we already know that galaxy distances are measured in light years, the image we receive is from the very past, even from some stars that were formed shortly after the Big Bang! It was created to observe the universe through infrared, which allows us to see stars and galaxies that are no longer in existence. The main player in this discovery is this telescope, which is 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth and boasts a massive 6.5-meter mirror that can capture more light than any other telescope.
Why are they called sub-Neptunes?
Planets that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune are referred to by this designation because they are in the middle of the two planets’ sizes and share comparable compositions (either rocky like Earth or gaseous like Neptune).
Deciphering GJ 1214 B
Because of its thick cloud cover, which makes it extremely impossible to detect properly, this planet, which is 48 light years from the constellation Ophiuchus, has remained a mystery to scientists. Because this kind of planet with this makeup is uncommon in our Solar System, the scientific community is quite interested in it. The most astounding thing is that the planet’s atmosphere reflects a significant amount of light from its host star. It is also made up of water and methane, which suggests a water origin. This was made possible by the JWST infrared, which allowed them to create a more detailed heat map that captured the planet’s day and night.
JWST s work on the discovery
The finding of GJ 1214 b is essential to comprehending sub-Neptunes, which are the most prevalent planets in the galaxy. However, there are still many unanswered questions regarding their composition. Because it might be encircled by enormous oceans or a dense, water-saturated atmosphere, scientists hypothesize that this one might be an aquatic world. Its discoveries are crucial for cosmic research.
Is it similar to any of our planets?
In addition to comparing the two atmospheres’ compositions, they have also questioned whether Earth is more like Venus than any other water planet. The greenhouse effect and the evolutionary paths of these exoplanets can be studied using Venus’s heavy CO atmosphere as an example.
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s Kazumasa Ohno created a number of models describing the various atmosphere kinds of these sub-Neptunes, and he discovered that they are all carbon-rich.
Everett Schlawin of the University of Arizona, meantime, stated that it is quite challenging to identify signals from such a great distance and figure out what these enigmatic planets actually conceal.
What we can say is that our understanding of planetary formation has been called into question by the discovery of this exoplanet. Our scientists now have access to a whole new realm of astrophysics. What more difficulties will arise now?