Scientists observe for the first time carbon dioxide on other planets outside the solar system

Carbon dioxide is an essential ingredient for life to have existed on earth, which makes it a key objective in the search for life in other parts of outer space. Since CO2 condenses in small ice particles in the deep cold of space, its presence can shed light on planetary formation.

It is believed that Jupiter and Saturn were formed from an ascending process (otherwise, “from the bottom up”) in which a lot of tiny frozen particles joined together to form a solid nucleus, which then absorbed gas to grow to become the gas giants that we know today.

“We have other lines of evidence that point to the formation of these four planets in HR 8799 through this ascending approach,” said Laurent Pueyo, astronomer of the Institute of Science of the Space Telescope and co -author of the Labor. “How common is this on long -term planets that we can photograph directly? We still don’t know, but we propose more webb observations, inspired by our carbon dioxide diagnoses, to answer this question.”

Unlocking the potential of James Webb

The James Webb telescope also must be given its flowers, since it has shown that it is able to make more than infer the atmospheric composition of exoplanets from measuring measurements; In fact, it has demonstrated its ability to directly analyze the chemical composition of atmospheres so far from us.

Normally, the Webb telescope can barely detect an exoplanet when glimpseing them when it crosses in front of its host star, this due to the great distance that separates us. But on this occasion, direct observation was possible thanks to the coronographs of James Webb, instruments that block the light of the stars to reveal worlds that would otherwise be hidden.

“It’s like putting the thumb in front of the sun when you look at the sky,” said Balmer. This adjustment, similar to that of a solar eclipse, allowed the equipment to search infrared light in wavelengths that reveal specific gases and other atmospheric details.

“These giant planets have very important implications,” said Balmer. “If these huge planets act as bowling balls touring our solar system, they can disturb, protect or, in a way, do both things like ours. Therefore, better understanding their formation is crucial to understand the formation, survival and habitability of planets similar to Earth in the future.”