NASA’s Webb Measures the Temperature of a Rocky Exoplanet

Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), researchers measure the temperature of rocky exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 b, indicating a dayside temperature of around 500 kelvins. This groundbreaking study marks the first detection of light emitted by a small, cool exoplanet, offering insights into its potential atmosphere.

Topics

  • exoplanet light emission
  • rocky planets
  • solar system comparison
  • TRAPPIST-1
  • active stars
  • sustaining atmospheres
  • Webb's mid-infrared capability
  • dim mid-infrared light
  • Comet Read
  • main belt comet
  • M dwarf
  • energy reception
  • TRAPPIST-1 b
  • habitable zone
  • exoplanet observations
  • carbon dioxide absence
  • spectral data
  • infrared glow