The Digital Press

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered its first new exoplanet, TWA 7b, notable for being the lowest-mass planet ever directly imaged outside our solar system. This young planet orbits the star CE Antilae about 111 light-years from Earth and was found within the star’s debris disk.

Why it matters: TWA 7b is ten times lighter than any previously imaged exoplanet, expanding our understanding of planet formation.

The big picture: JWST’s advanced infrared instruments and coronagraph enable direct imaging of faint, low-mass planets previously undetectable.

Stunning stat: TWA 7b’s mass is about 100 times Earth’s, or just 0.3 times that of Jupiter, making it uniquely light.

Commenters say: Many are impressed by JWST’s capabilities and excited about future exoplanet discoveries, while some discuss challenges of imaging faint planets near bright stars.