science
James Webb Telescope Discovers New Exoplanet With Earth-Like Atmosphere
NASA's telescope identifies a potentially habitable world with signs of water vapor in its atmosphere.
The James Webb Space Telescope has made its most exciting discovery yet: an exoplanet with atmospheric conditions remarkably similar to Earth.
## The Discovery
The planet, designated JWST-2025b, orbits a sun-like star 120 light-years away. Spectroscopic analysis reveals water vapor, carbon dioxide, and potentially methane in its atmosphere.
## Habitability Potential
The planet sits squarely in its star's habitable zone, where liquid water could exist on the surface. Its size and density suggest a rocky composition similar to Earth.
## What This Means
While we cannot confirm life exists there, this discovery demonstrates that Earth-like atmospheric conditions may be more common than previously thought.
## Next Steps
Future observations will attempt to detect biosignatures—chemical signs that could indicate biological processes on the planet.