James Webb telescope ready to start collecting data
NASA will soon unveil an enhanced look at two exoplanets that closely resemble the Earth, although you might want to hold off on packing your bags.
One of the first orders of business for NASA's renowned James Webb Telescope is taking a closer look at 55 Cancri e, a super-hot planet that orbits closer to its central star than Mercury does the Sun. This means that the planet is likely covered in flowing magma, according to NASA scientists. They also believe that the potential existence of a weak atmosphere on the planet means it could rain lava at night.
The planet takes a mere 18 hours to orbit its central star. When planets orbit stars so closely, they usually orbit in a manner called "tidally locked" where the same side of the planet faces the star at all times. But scientists believe this planet might rotate on its own, meaning the heat generated by its proximity to the star is spread throughout its globe. Experts will also hopefully determine whether the planet contains nitrogen or oxygen.
Scientists also plan to observe another exoplanet, called LHS 3844 b, that is much cooler than its lakes-of-lava counterpart. This one appears to be solid rock and contains no atmosphere. The telescope won't be able to photograph the surface of the planet, but scientists will use other instruments to measure infrared signals and other data points to try and determine the geological makeup of the planet.
https://www.chron.com/news/space/article/nasa-exoplanet-james-webb-telescope-17214945.php?t=0a33030269
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