In a new era of astronomy in which distant worlds can be scanned for signs of life, the world's most powerful telescope has made its first observations of a planet outside our solar system.
New insights into the formation of the planet, which is 700 light years away in the Virgo constellation, can be gleaned from the observations. The first clear cut evidence for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a planet is provided by them.
Dr Parmentier is an associate professor of physics at Oxford University and a member of the collaboration behind the work. CO2 detection is usually one of the things we look for. This shows we have the ability, which is exciting for everyone.
James Webb's main goal is to analyse the atmospheres of distant planets and look for biosignature gases that could indicate the existence of life on the planet below.
It is not seen as a promising candidate for the future. The planet is 1.3 times the size of Jupiter and has an average temperature of 900 C. It only takes four Earth days to complete a circuit because it is so close to its host star.
It is likely to be locked with one side facing towards the star and the other side shrouded in darkness because it is so close to the star.
When the planet passed in front of the star, it dims the light from it. The measurement of starlight is being done through the atmosphere. The rainbow of starlight can be analysed to find out which gases are in it.
The first conclusive evidence of the presence of carbon dioxide is due to be published in the journal Nature.
It was an ideal first target because it was large and cloudless. Astronomers will use the same techniques to analyse the atmospheres of smaller rocky planets that are seen as potentially habitable. They will be looking for Earth-like atmospheres, dominated by nitrogen, carbon-dioxide and water, and an overall balance of gases that hint at a contribution from biological processes.
Dr Jo Barstow is an astronomer at The Open University and a member of the JWST collaboration behind the paper.
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Astronomers will be able to distinguish between small, rocky planets that are more Earth-like and those closer to Venus due to its blazing 470C surface temperature and dense, toxic atmosphere.
It was probably luck that Venus ended up so inhospitable that Earth ended up with life. It may have been a small tipping point that caused them to go in different directions.
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