Part 5/9:
JWST’s capabilities extend beyond our galaxy to the study of exoplanets. The telescope's first exoplanet observation focused on Wasp-96b, a "hot Jupiter" orbiting its star every 3.4 days. Unlike many gas giants, Wasp-96b’s clear atmosphere allowed JWST to detect water molecules directly — a milestone in exoplanet science.
Previous observations identified sodium, but JWST's infrared instruments uncovered a wealth of water vapor, revealing a rich, water-laden atmosphere. This discovery raises exciting possibilities: if gas giants like Wasp-96b are so water-rich, could analogous conditions exist on other worlds, potentially habitable or otherwise intriguing? It’s the beginning of a new era in characterizing distant worlds.