The Search Beyond Our Sun: Exoplanets from the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope under construction before its launch in 2022. (NASA)
Post Author - Erik Wells
Are we alone in the universe? Is there life beyond our solar system? And if so, what place does it hold for humans? These questions have haunted and inspired philosophers, artists, and the more existentially-minded of dorm-dwelling college students for centuries. Much of that time has been spent merely pondering these ideas, but in recent years, a select group of astronomers specializing in the field of exoplanet studies has looked to them as the driving force behind their work—and an increasing source of their frustration.
Our ability to detect exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) increased significantly when the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched in 2021. Each time a planet orbits in front of its star, the star’s brightness temporarily dims. A small amount of starlight passes through the planet’s atmosphere, where atmospheric chemicals absorb specific wavelengths and leave gaps in the spectrum of light. Using a technique known as the transit method, JWST can examine those absences for signs of carbon dioxide, water, and other molecules necessary for life to thrive.
Unfortunately, the planets most similar to Earth in size and composition are often the most difficult to observe using this method. Imagine if someone on another planet was trying to examine Earth for signs of life: we only pass in front of our sun once a year, and when we do, the sun’s sheer power means the resulting dip in brightness is practically negligible.
As a result, scientists have broadened their search beyond solely “Earth twins” and have focused much of their attention on M-dwarfs. These are small red dwarf stars which are only 10 to 60% as big as the Sun and about 7% as bright. These stars are cool and dim, never threatening to overwhelm their planets with light even though their orbits are significantly tighter than Earth’s. Most exoplanets in these systems orbit their star at least every few weeks, and with 50 M-dwarfs to be found in the 60 stars closest to Earth, that means there’s an exoplanet in transit somewhere every few hours at most.
Of particular interest is the TRAPPIST-1 system. The planets here are tidally locked, meaning that the hemispheres are trapped in a permanent scorching heat and a constant freeze, respectively. However, between these two zones there is a thin slice of temperate climate in a state of eternal sunset (or sunrise, depending on how you look at it.) Four of these seven planets are in a potentially habitable zone, making this system our best bet to focus in on the search for a planet that could hold life.
Four of the seven planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system reside in a potentially habitable zone. (NASA/JPL-Caltech)
Around 30% of JWST’s time is devoted to exoplanet studies and only 175 hours have been spent on the TRAPPIST-1 system so far, but much has been learned already. Unfortunately, due to the temperamental nature of M-dwarfs, much of the data gathered in that time has proven undecipherable so far. Luckily, the JWST is expected to last for another 18 years, double its original 10-year life expectancy. There is still plenty of time to explore.
Searching for other habitable planets will take up a significant chunk of time before we can even start determining their habitability. According to the University of Montreal’s René Doyon, one possibility outside of the TRAPPIST-1 system is LHS 1140b, a watery “super-Earth” covered in a global ocean. LHS 1140b is the most likely to have retained an atmosphere out of Doyon’s shortlist of six planets, but it is only in transit four times a year, and with a dozen transits needed to gather enough data about carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it would take three years before we know for sure—assuming JWST is even allocated to observe 1140b at the time of every transit.
The search for life beyond our sun is an always exciting, yet often frustrating one. But hopefully, the wait for answers will spur us to take action towards maintaining our own planet, so that we are not forced to rely on another.
Still want to explore the stars? Check out our Air & Space collection here for more on mission-flown NASA shuttles, the Apollo 11 program, and even meteorite fragments!
Clery, Daniel. “Could Super-Earths or Mini-Neptunes Host Life among the Stars?” Science.Org, 20 June 2024, www.science.org/content/article/could-super-earths-mini-neptunes-host-life-among-stars.
“Exoplanets - NASA Science.” NASA, NASA, science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/. Accessed 26 June 2024.
Featured Product
Roman Arrowhead - Pocket Specimen
Latest News
-
Apr 18, 2025 Scientists Film a Colossal Squid in its Natural Habitat! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Is It Legal To Own a Dinosaur Fossil? How to start your Dinosaur Collection! Read More -
Apr 16, 2025 Archaeologists Discover Tomb of an Unknown Pharaoh! Read More -
Apr 09, 2025 Did Scientists Resurrect a Dire Wolf or Just Create Colossal Hype? Read More -
Apr 07, 2025 What was dinosaur armor used for? New fossils help scientists find out! Read More
Cool Things!
Scientists Film a Colossal Squid in its Natural Habitat!
One hundred years after its discovery, scientists have captured the elusive colossal squid on film in its natural habitat. The juvenile squid was found around 2,000 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean near the South Sandwich Islands. Measuring about one foot long, it drifts through the sea with translucent skin, pearly eyes and colorful tentacles.
Archaeologists Discover Tomb of an Unknown Pharaoh!
Did Scientists Resurrect a Dire Wolf or Just Create Colossal Hype?
Specimen Deep Dives
Returning to the Moon: The Apollo 14 Mission
The Secrets of the Space Shuttle: Learn about Mini Museum's Shuttle Tile Material!
Gondwana: When the Earth Was One
Long Form Articles
Is It Legal To Own a Meteorite: How to Start Your Outer Space Collection!
Meteorites are some of the rarest geological specimens to be found on Earth. Of course, since these stones are not of our world, purchasing them can sometimes be a confusing process. Is it legal to own a meteorite? In short, yes! Read on for help starting your cosmic collection!
Is It Legal To Own a Dinosaur Fossil? How to start your Dinosaur Collection!
So you want to start fossil collecting!? Amateur paleontology is a fascinating and fun hobby that can even nab you an award! Dinosaur bones are some of the most sought-after specimens in the world, so you may be wondering, is it even legal to own a dinosaur bone? In short, yes! Read on for more help starting your fossil collection!
Top 10 Most Incredible Dinosaur Fossils Ever Discovered!
Dinosaur fossils have captured the popular imagination for decades. The giant, bizarre creatures that traversed the Earth far before the dawn of human civilization are the subject of countless exhibits, movies, books and television shows. Here is a countdown of 10 of the most significant and incredible fossils ever discovered!