Only now, with advanced observatories like Webb, are researchers beginning to directly observe these early stages of formation
An artistic rendering of a dust and gas disk encircling young exoplanet ‘CT Cha b’. Pic Courtesy/NASA
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured the first direct look at material within a disk encircling a massive exoplanet more than 625 light-years from Earth. This carbon-rich disk may serve as a kind of workshop where moons take shape. Because moons are thought to outnumber planets across our galaxy, and some could even host life, studying how they form is key to understanding planetary systems as a whole.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has made the first direct measurements of the chemical makeup and physical conditions inside a possible moon-forming disk surrounding a massive exoplanet. This carbon-rich disk, found around the planet known as ‘CT Cha b’ about 625 light-years from Earth, could be a birthplace for new moons, although none were detected in the current Webb observations.
Watching how planets and moons form is essential to understanding how planetary systems evolve throughout the galaxy. Scientists believe moons may be far more common than planets, and some could even offer conditions suitable for life. Only now, with advanced observatories like Webb, are researchers beginning to directly observe these early stages of formation.
400
No. of known moons in our solar system
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