Archive · 26 Jun 2025
Webb Telescope Uncovers First Unknown Saturn-Sized Exoplanet
The James Webb Space Telescope has found a new planet outside our solar system, a first-ever discovery!
This planet is about the size of Saturn and is located far away.
Scientists used a special telescope to take a picture, blocking out the light from its star.
This planet orbits a star that is only 6 million years old, much younger than our own Sun.
It's a step towards learning more about how other solar systems are formed.
The James Webb Space Telescope discovered a new exoplanet through direct imaging.
The exoplanet is a gas giant, approximately the size of Saturn.
It orbits a star named TWA 7, located about 110 light-years from Earth.
The discovery was made possible by a coronagraph on the Mid-Infrared Instrument.
The planet and its star are young, approximately 6 million years old.
- Who
- The James Webb Space Telescope made the discovery.
- What
- The James Webb Space Telescope discovered a new exoplanet.
- When
- The discovery was made after the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021.
- Where
- The exoplanet is located about 110 light-years away in the constellation Antlia.
- Why
- To understand how planetary systems form and evolve.
Observation Techniques
Direct Imaging
Imaging vs. Previous Methods
Observation Techniques
Direct imaging is a rare and difficult technique in astronomy.
Direct Imaging
This discovery was made through direct imaging, a rare method.
- Telescope
- James Webb Space Telescope
- Exoplanet Size
- Approximately the size of Saturn
- Distance from Earth
- Approximately 110 light-years
- Constellation
- Antlia
- Star Name
- TWA 7
- Star Age
- Approximately 6 million years
