In An Unprecedented Discovery Released On July 6, 2023, Webb Telescope Discovers Most Ancient Supermassive

Witness the Enigmatic Protostar L152 through the Eyes of the James Webb Space Telescope

Exploring the Cosmic Wonders: Witness the Enigmatic Protostar L152 through the Eyes of the James Webb Space Telescope 🌌🔍 Dive into the captivating universe as we journey closer to protostar L152, unveiling its mesmerizing details captured by the collaborative NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Read more here - https://www.jameswebbdiscovery.com/discoveries/webb-reveals-protostar-features-within-the-dark-cloud-l1527 🚀🔭

Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, unWISE/JPL-Caltech/D. Lang (Perimeter Institute), E. Slawik, N. Risinger, N. Bartmann, M. Zamani 📸🌠 Music: Tonelabs – The Red North

James Webb Telescope's Mesmerizing Image of Arp 142: The Cosmic Dance of the Egg and the Penguin

New image from Webb Released on its anniversary, read more - https://www.jameswebbdiscovery.com/discoveries/james-webb-telescope-captures-the-cosmic-dance-of-the-egg-and-the-penguin

✨ Breaking: James Webb Space Telescope captures the cosmic dance of Arp 142, the Egg and the Penguin galaxies! This stunning image reveals intricate star-forming regions and details never seen before. Webb’s unparalleled capabilities continue to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Learn more - https://www.jameswebbdiscovery.com/discoveries/james-webb-telescope-captures-the-cosmic-dance-of-the-egg-and-the-penguin

Observation Alert! James Webb Telescope Targets Cigar Galaxy (M82) on the Last Day of 2023. Read the full article here

🌠✨ Did you catch the cosmic spectacle as we waved goodbye to 2023? 🔭🔍 The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) fixed its gaze on the mesmerizing Cigar Galaxy, also known as M82, unraveling celestial secrets on the very last day of the year! 🌌🎇

👀 What's the Buzz? M82, with its elongated shape earning it the nickname "Cigar Galaxy," is a hub of cosmic activity located 12 million light-years away. 🚀💫 The JWST, armed with its infrared prowess, promises to reveal hidden wonders—from intense star formation to the dance of a supermassive black hole at its core. 🌌🔍

🔍 JWST's Superpowers: Why is everyone buzzing about the JWST? 🤔 This space observatory boasts unprecedented sensitivity, infrared capabilities that pierce through cosmic dust, and a massive 21-foot mirror for crystal-clear observations! 🌐✨

💡 Anticipated Discoveries: As the JWST turns its gaze on M82, get ready for a cosmic adventure! 🚀✨ Expect revelations about star formation, insights into the supermassive black hole, and even a peek into the exoplanet neighborhood! 🌟🔭

🎉✨ #SpaceExploration #JWST #CigarGalaxyMagic 🌌🔭

An astronomical waltz reveals a sextuplet of planets

An international collaboration between astronomers using the CHEOPS and TESS space satellites, including NCCR PlanetS members from the University of Bern and the University of Geneva, have found a key new system of six transiting planets orbiting a bright star in a harmonic rhythm. This rare property enabled the team to determine the planetary orbits which initially appeared as an unsolvable riddle.

CHEOPS is a joint mission by ESA and Switzerland, under the leadership of the University of Bern in collaboration with the University of Geneva. Thanks to a collaboration with scientists working with data from NASA’s satellite TESS, the international team could uncover the planetary system orbiting the nearby star HD110067. A very distinctive feature of this system is its chain of resonances: the planets orbit their host star in perfect harmony. Part of the research team are researchers from the University of Bern and the University of Geneva who are also members of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS. The findings have just been published in Nature.

The planets in the HD110067 system revolve around the star in a very precise waltz. When the closest planet to the star makes three full revolutions around it, the second one makes exactly two during the same time. This is called a 3:2 resonance. “Amongst the over 5000 exoplanets discovered orbiting other stars than our Sun, resonances are not rare, nor are systems with several planets. What is extremely rare though, is to find systems where the resonances span such a long chain of six planets” points out Dr. Hugh Osborn, CHEOPS fellow at the University of Bern, leader of CHEOPS observation programme involved in the study, and co-author of the publication. This is precisely the case of HD110067 whose planets form a so-called “resonant chain” in successive pairs of 3:2, 3:2, 3:2, 4:3, and 4:3 resonances, resulting in the closest planet completing six orbits while the outer-most planet does one.

A seemingly unsolvable puzzle

Although multiple planets were initially detected thanks to their transits, the exact arrangement of the planets was unclear at first. However, the precise gravitational dance enabled the scientists’ team to solve the puzzle of HD110067. Prof. Adrien Leleu from the University of Geneva, in charge of analysing the orbital resonances, and co-author of the study, explains: “A transit occurs when a planet, from our point of view, passes in front of its host star, blocking a minute fraction of the starlight, creating an apparent dip of its brightness.” From the first observations carried out by NASA’s TESS satellite, it was possible to determine that the two inner planets called ‘b’ and ‘c’ have orbital periods of 9 and 14 days respectively. However, no conclusions could be drawn for the other four detected planets as two were seen to transit once in 2020 and once in 2022 with a large 2-year gap in the data, and the other two transited only once in 2022.

The solution to the puzzle for those four additional planets finally began to emerge thanks to observations with the CHEOPS space telescope. While TESS aims at scanning all of the sky bit by bit to find short-period exoplanets, CHEOPS is a targeted mission, focusing on a single star at a time with exquisite precision. “Our CHEOPS observations enabled us to find that the period of planet ‘d’ is 20.5 days. Also, it ruled out multiple possibilities for the remaining three outer planets, ‘e’, ‘f’ and ‘g’,” reveals Osborn.

Predicting the precise waltz of the planets

That is when the team realized that the three inner planets of HD110067 are dancing in a precise 3:2, 3:2 chain of resonances: when the innermost planet revolves nine times around the star, the second revolves six times and the third planet four times.

The team then considered the possibility that the three other planets could also be part of the chain of resonances. “This led to dozens of possibilities for their orbital period,” explains Leleu, “but combining existing observational data from TESS and CHEOPS, with our model of the gravitational interactions between the planets, we could exclude all solutions but one: the 3:2, 3:2, 3:2, 4:3, 4:3 chain.” The scientists could therefore predict that the outer three planets (‘e’, ‘f’ and ‘g’) have orbital periods of 31, 41 days, and 55 days.

This prediction allowed to schedule observations with a variety of ground-based telescopes. Further transits of planet ‘f’ were observed, revealing it was precisely where theory predicted it based on the resonant-chain. Finally, reanalysis of the data from TESS revealed two hidden transits, one from each of planets ‘f’ and ‘g’, exactly at the times expected by the predictions, confirming the periods of the six planets. Additional CHEOPS observations of each planet, and in particular planet ‘e’ are scheduled in the near future.

A key system for the future

From the handful of resonant-chain systems found so far, CHEOPS has highly contributed to the understanding of not only HD110067, but also of TOI-178. Another well-known example of a resonant-chain system is the TRAPPIST-1 system which hosts seven rocky planets. However, TRAPPIST-1 is a small and incredibly faint star which makes any additional observations very difficult. HD110067, on the other hand, is more than 50 times brighter than TRAPPIST-1.

“The fact that the planets in the HD110067 system have been detected by the transit method is key. While they pass in front of the star, light also filters through the planetary atmospheres” points out Jo Ann Egger, PhD student at the University of Bern, who computed the composition of the planets using CHEOPS data, and co-author of the study. This property is allowing astronomers to determine the chemical composition and other properties of the atmospheres. Since a lot of light is required, the bright star HD110067 and its orbiting planets are an ideal target for further studies to charachterize the planetary atmospheres. “The sub-Neptune planets of the HD110067 system appear to have low masses, suggesting they may be gas- or water-rich. Future observations, for example with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), of these planetary atmospheres could determine whether the planets have rocky or water-rich interior structures,” concludes Egger.

TOP IMAGE....A rare family of six exoplanets has been unlocked with the help of ESA’s Cheops mission. The planets in this family are all smaller than Neptune and revolve around their star HD110067 in a very precise waltz. When the closest planet to the star makes three full revolutions around it, the second one makes exactly two during the same time. This is called a 3:2 resonance. The six planets form a resonant chain in pairs of 3:2, 3:2, 3:2, 4:3, and 4:3, resulting in the closest planet completing six orbits while the outer-most planet does one. Cheops confirmed the orbital period of the third planet in the system, which was the key to unlocking the rhythm of the entire system. This is the second planetary system in orbital resonance that Cheops has helped reveal. The first one is called TOI-178. Credit © ESA

LOWER IMAGE....Tracing a link between two neighbour planet at regular time interval along their orbits, creates a pattern unique to each couple. The six planets of the HD110067 system create together a mesmerising geometric pattern due to their resonance-chain. Credit © , Thibaut Roger/NCCR PlanetS

Discovery Alert! In a discovery released on Nov 15, 2023, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) unveils the mesmerizing secrets of exoplanet WASP-107b! 🚀🔍 Read full article here

Discovery Alert! In a discovery released on Nov 15, 2023, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) unveils the mesmerizing secrets of exoplanet WASP-107b! 🚀🔍 Read full article here

👀 Witness the dance of water vapour, sulfur dioxide, and silicate sand clouds in the fluffy atmosphere of this unique exoplanet. JWST's MIRI instrument takes you 50 times deeper into the cosmic wonders compared to our own solar system! 🌠🔬

🔍 Uncover the unexpected discoveries challenging planetary models, from sulfur dioxide defying predictions to high-altitude clouds of sand particles. 🏞️💫

🤯 Brace yourself for a mind-bending journey that reshapes our understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres and planetary evolution! 🌏🌌

📖 Read the full article now and let the universe unfold its mysteries before your eyes. 🌟✨

#JWSTDiscovery #ExoplanetaryWonders #CosmicRevelations #SpaceExploration #WASP107b

📸 Credits: Klaas Verpoest, Johan Van Looveren, Leen Decin

Discovery Alert! In a new discovery released on October 25, 2023, Webb Telescope Discovers Tellurium, a Rare Cosmic Element from Star Merger. Read full article here

Discover how Webb and a collaboration of telescopes observed an incredibly bright gamma-ray burst, GRB 230307A, and revealed the secrets of a neutron star merger that produced a cosmic explosion called a kilonova. But that's not all! Webb's keen eye also detected the presence of tellurium, an element even rarer on Earth than platinum. 🌌💫

🔍 Unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, learn about neutron star mergers, and dive into the thrilling world of space exploration. 🪙✨

Read the full article here.

Join us on this cosmic journey as we delve into the depths of the universe and unravel its most profound secrets. 🌠🔮 Don't miss out on this awe-inspiring discovery! 🚀 #NASA #WebbTelescope #SpaceExploration #CosmicDiscovery #Astronomy #Tellurium #Kilonova

The second launch attempt of the mighty Starship on Nov 18, 2023. 🌌👋 Exciting news from the final frontier! 🌠✨ SpaceX, under the brilliant mind of Elon Musk, took us on a rollercoaster journey on Nov 18, 2023, with the second launch attempt of the mighty Starship – a spacecraft designed to shoot humanity straight towards Mars! 🚀🔴 Read a recap of this launch here.

🌌👨‍🚀🌠 #SpaceX #StarshipLaunch #CosmicOdyssey #ToTheStarsWeGo #SpaceExploration 🚀✨

What are 100 space facts ?

Read full article here with 100 space facts.

Are you ready to embark on an interstellar adventure? 🚀🌠 We've got a treat for all the space enthusiasts out there! Our latest article is a mind-blowing compilation of 100 Space Facts that will leave you starstruck and craving for more! 🌌💫

From the breathtaking beauty of the Pillars of Creation to the mind-boggling vastness of the universe, we've curated a list that will ignite your cosmic curiosity like never before! 🪐🌟

Discover why the Moon's footprints will last for millions of years, how a teaspoon of neutron star material weighs millions of tons, and so much more! 🌕🌠

👉 Click here read the full article and journey through the wonders of space! 📖🔭✨

Tag a fellow stargazer and let's explore the universe together! 🌌🌠

What is the coldest space in the universe. Read here for an answer

🌟 Located a staggering 5,000 light-years away in the captivating Southern constellation of Centaurus, the Boomerang Nebula boasts a chilling temperature of just one degree Kelvin above absolute zero, approximately -460 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrr, it's the epitome of cosmic chill! ❄️🌌

Make Astronomy Your New Year's Resolution for 2024

Make Astronomy Your New Year's Resolution for 2024. Read more here

🌠 As we dive into the unexplored realms of a new year, let's set our sights high—like, really high. Picture yourself under a star-studded sky, unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos, and witnessing the dance of planets and galaxies. This year, let's make #Astronomy our New Year's Resolution! 🌌

Why? Because...

🪐 Connect with the Infinite: Explore the vastness of the universe and feel a connection that goes beyond our earthly bounds. It's an adventure for all ages—from curious kids to seasoned stargazers!

🌌 Intellectual Stimulation: Stimulate your mind, ask questions, and unlock the secrets of the cosmos. Astronomy isn't just a hobby; it's a journey of continuous learning and discovery.

🌙 Stress Relief and Mindfulness: Need a break from the chaos? Immerse yourself in the tranquility of stargazing. Find peace and mindfulness under the cosmic canopy.

Ready for the ultimate cosmic adventure? 🚀✨ Grab a telescope, gaze into the heavens, and let the stars be your guide in 2024! 🌠💫 #Stargazing #NewYearNewHorizons #CosmicResolution

Check out The Ultimate Telescope Buying Guide to get started.