The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed significant findings regarding an exoplanet named GJ 1214 b, located approximately 48 light years from Earth. Initially classified as a 'mini-Neptune,' recent observations indicate that this celestial body more closely resembles Venus, leading to its designation as a 'super-Venus.'
Researchers, led by Everett Schlawin from the University of Arizona and Kazumasa Ohno from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, utilized the telescope to analyze the planet's atmosphere. Their study found high concentrations of carbon dioxide, akin to the dense atmosphere of Venus, raising questions about its classification.
The carbon dioxide signal detected was faint, requiring meticulous statistical analysis to confirm its validity. The team's findings suggest that GJ 1214 b possesses an atmosphere dominated by metals at lower altitudes, with only minimal hydrogen presence, resulting in a hot, carbon-rich environment.
This research has been documented in two papers published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, marking a notable advancement in the understanding of exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope, a joint project of NASA, ESA, and CSA, was launched on December 25, 2021, and began scientific operations in July 2022.