James Webb Space Telescope Feed Post

Warm Gas-Giant Exoplanet WASP-107 b Transmission Spectrum (NIRSpec)

This transmission spectrum, captured using Webb’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph), shows the amounts of different wavelengths (colors) of near-infrared starlight blocked by the atmosphere of the gas-giant exoplanet WASP-107 b. The spectrum was made by observing the planet-star system for about 8.5 hours before, during, and after the transit as the planet moved across the face of the star. By comparing the brightness of light filtered through the planet’s atmosphere (transmitted light) to unfiltered starlight, it is possible to calculate the amount of each wavelength that is blocked by the atmosphere. Since each molecule absorbs a unique combination of wavelengths, the transmission spectrum can be used to constrain the abundance of various gases. This spectrum shows clear evidence for water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the planet’s atmosphere, allowing researchers to estimate the interior temperature and mass of the core. Credits: Illustration: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI) Science: David Sing (JHU), NIRSpec GTO Transiting Exoplanet Team Image Description: Graphic titled “Hot Gas-Giant Exoplanet WASP-107 b Transmission Spectrum: NIRSpec Bright Object Time-Series Spectroscopy” has one set of data points with error bars and a best-fit model on a graph of Amount of Light Blocked on the y-axis versus Wavelength of Light in microns on x-axis. Y-axis ranges from less light blocked at bottom to more light blocked at top. X-axis ranges from 2.5 to 5.2 microns. Webb NIRSpec data consists of 576 points plotted in blue. Best-fit model is a jagged gray line with several broad peaks and valleys. Five features are labeled. From left to right: Water H2O and Carbon Dioxide CO2; Methane CH4; Sulfur Dioxide SO2; Carbon Dioxide CO2; and Carbon Monoxide CO. Image & Description by NASA