Intriguing Exoplanet Atmosphere

Produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Office of Public Outreach in collaboration with NASA’s Universe of Learning partners: Caltech/IPAC, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Video imagery:

·       Illustration of K2-18 system: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

·       Infographic of K2-18 b spectra: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI), Joseph Olmsted (STScI)

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Different photos of galaxies and colorful clouds, planets. 

 

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Text, NEW FROM THE UNIVERSE. 

 

September 15th, 2023. Intriguing Exoplanet Atmosphere. Illustration of a blue planet with a red sun behind and below it, in the right corner of the screen. 

 

Text, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected intriguing carbon-bearing molecules in the atmosphere Of exoplanet K2-18 b. 

 

The exoplanet is unlike any in our own solar system — larger than Earth and smaller than Neptune. 

 

A chart shows levels of Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Dimethyl Sulfide. Text, Webb's detection Of methane and carbon dioxide. but a shortage Of ammonia, is consistent with a possible water ocean underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. 

 

The presence Of a water ocean would not mean that K2-18 b is -Earth-like: however, due to its higher mass and thick atmosphere. 

 

The detection of methane in the atmosphere of this type Of exoplanet was impossible before Webb, marking a big step for planetary science. 

 

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Illustration of a blue planet with a red sun behind and below it, in the right corner of the screen. Text, The findings are considered a promising step in using Webb to study "sub-Neptunes" and water worlds that are very different from Earth. 

 

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