Canada's Webb Irument Confirms Water in Exoplanet's Atmosphere

Aerospace and Defense Review | Friday, July 22, 2022

NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency released the first scientific images from the Webb Telescope.

FREMONT, CA: A glimpse of the hidden universe was exposed through the release of the James Webb Space Telescope's first science images & spectroscopic information. Observations built by the powerful space telescope exposed an array of spectacular cosmic features. Future discoveries empowered by Webb promise to redefine our knowledge of the universe and its place.

An observation made by NIRISS(Canada's Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) unambiguously confirmed the presence of water molecules in the atmosphere of WASP 96 b, an exoplanet in orbit around a Sun-like star located approximately 1,150 light-years from Earth. This is the most elaborated near-infrared transmission spectrum of an exoplanet atmosphere.

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The Canadian-made instrument captured and broke apart the starlight flowing using the atmosphere of this hot gas exoplanet. This process permits researchers to obtain key information, particularly the potential presence of life-supporting molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water. NIRISS's sensitive observation of WASP 96 b also contained evidence for haze and clouds, earlier thought not to exist in the environment of this planet.

Canada's FGS (Fine Guidance Sensor) was critical in generating these stunning data and images, thanks to its capability to remain locked on to guide stars for long periods while the telescope is in motion. Aimed to align Webb with incredible precision, the FGS will be employed with all of Webb's instruments and throughout all observations.

Now entering its scientific operations phase, Webb has become an extraordinary tool for astronomers in Canada and around the world to investigate every phase of cosmic history, from the root of the universe to the formation of galaxies, stars, also planets.

Because of the Canadian Space Agency's contributions and expertise, researchers over Canada are among the first to access the coveted observing time through all instruments aboard the most complicated and powerful space observatory ever built.

The Respectable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science & Industry, stated, "These first images are a testimony to Webb's power and humanity's relentless drive to learn more about space. In decades, talented Canadian scientists and engineers have worked carefully with colleagues from around the globe to accomplish this great feat. And now, our world-famous astronomers are poised to make unparalleled discoveries at the cutting-edge of galactic research."

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