Webb Detects Cocktail of Chemicals in Exoplanet Atmosphere

Diagram of the atmosphere of the exoplanet WASP-39 b, showing the abundance of water vapor, carbon dioxide, sodium, and other molecules, based on data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s NIRSpec instrument

The mighty James Webb Space Telescope has peered into the atmosphere of a scorching exoplanet called WASP-39 b.

The Data

Scientists used multiple powerful instruments on Webb to analyze starlight filtered through the planet's atmosphere, revealing different chemical's fingerprint.

Amazingly, Webb detected a whole host of chemicals, including sodium, potassium, water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide.

This data gives us a detailed look at WASP-39 b and gives astronomers clues about how this giant planet formed and demonstrates Webb's incredible ability to gain new insights into exoplanet atmospheres.

Explore Further

Our mission with the Webb science is to provide a concise and easily digestible version of the JWST science data on Space Ponder but we'll provide you a link to learn more about this science in greater detail directly over at the Webb website linked>> Wasp:Exoplanet WASP-39 b (Transmission Spectra)