For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope has been used to directly image an exoplanet — that’s a planet outside of our solar system.
Although it’s not the first time an exoplanet has been directly imaged, it is the first time the Webb Telescope’s powerful gaze has been turned to the task.
And these, along with future observations could tell us more about alien worlds beyond our solar system than ever before — and just maybe, even detect life.
Jason Wang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA), spoke with WTTW News about this achievement. Wang was part of the Webb team that produced the exoplanet images. (The interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
Source: WTTW News
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Credit: WTTW News