JWST catches evidence of water vapour around faraway planet
Earth-like exoplanet
Water for us is equivalent to life. Not just in biological sense but even in our search for extraterrestrial life. Water is necessary for life as we know it. Likelihood of presence of water, water vapour or even ice, therefore makes news in scientific community and telescopes from around the world get pointed at the celestial object of interest.
James Webb Space Telescope has found water vapour around a rocky exoplanet revolving around its star. JWST used its Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to detect signals of water vapour around a rocky planet designated as GJ 486.
The planet is too close to the star to be in its habitable zone. On the surface of the planet, the average temperature is 430 degrees Celsius.
If the detected water vapour is indeed associated with the planet, it may mean that the planet has an atmosphere in spite of it being close to its star. This will be a huge development indeed as till date, there hasn't been a definite discovery of atmosphere around a rocky exoplanet.
However, in case of GJ486, scientists are still trying to determine whether the water vapour is associated with the planet or it is associated with the star itself, specifically with the cooler spots of the star.
Also Read | Aurora dazzles in Ladakh skies after geomagnetic storm hits earth
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Pentagon draws up new nuclear strategy in the event of war with Russia and China
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Affront to our sovereignty': Bangladesh slams India over Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference
)
Several Indian states ban analogue paneer: Experts explain what it is and the health risks | WION Decodes
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry
)
Did Trump's helicopter nearly collide with a passenger jet? US launches probe
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Scientists find descendants of ancient sea creatures trapped under Antarctica's Blood Falls
)
American blogger Perez Hilton, covered in blood, cuts himself during livestream, hospitalized after distressing incident
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Jharkhand student protest: Sonam Wangchuk urges Devendra Mahato to end waterless hunger strike
)
Munir-protege Mohsin Naqvi’s claim of unearthing huge scam triggers tremors in Pakistan’s power corridors
)
Trump administration refunds $100 billion in tariffs after Supreme Court ruling
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Pradeep Rawat died at 74: Revisit the unforgettable roles that defined his career
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who is Shreya Kalra? Meet the social media star who lifted the Lock Upp 2 trophy
)
India deploys joint outbreak response team as Chandipura virus spreads in Gujarat, Rajasthan
)
Sajeeb Wazed raises Indian security concerns, calls Bangladesh a 'failed state'
)
Mark Zuckerberg apologises to Indian government over harmful content, platform errors amid PM video row
)
Ex top Pakistan official blames economic woes on China: Here's how CPEC became a failure
)
'World's most beautiful village' with only 627 people generated Rs 58 lakh in traffic fines in 2025
)
CJP's Saurav Das alleges YouTubers broke into his house, seeks Delhi Police action
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
‘Pakistan called for ceasefire, we kept them waiting’: Ex-CDS Anil Chauhan recalls Operation Sindoor
)
Did military GPS jamming cause a plane to crash in New Mexico? Here's what a report says
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
“We see a signal, and it’s almost certainly due to water. But we can't tell yet if that water is part of the planet's atmosphere, meaning the planet has an atmosphere, or if we’re just seeing a water signature coming from the star,” said Sarah Moran of the University of Arizona in Tucson as quoted by NASA on its website. Moran is the lead author of the study.
“Water vapor in an atmosphere on a hot rocky planet would represent a major breakthrough for exoplanet science. But we must be careful and make sure that the star is not the culprit,” added Kevin Stevenson of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. Stevenson was quoted by NASA.
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE