James Webb Won’t Discover Exoplanets? Think Again!

There’s a common misconception floating around: the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) won’t be discovering new exoplanets. And you know what? That’s mostly true! But before you write it off, let’s dive into what JWST can do—because while it’s not a planet-hunting telescope in the traditional sense, its role in exoplanet research is even more groundbreaking.

Why JWST Isn’t an Exoplanet Hunter

The discovery of new exoplanets is typically left to smaller telescopes, including NASA’s Kepler and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite). These instruments scan the sky for tiny dips in starlight caused by planets passing in front of their host stars—a method called the transit technique. Even dedicated amateur astronomers can contribute to finding new exoplanets!

JWST’s True Strength: Exoplanet Exploration

While JWST isn’t built to discover exoplanets, it plays a far more important role: studying them in detail. It has already confirmed its first exoplanet, LHS 475 b, an Earth-sized world that proved its capabilities in detecting and analyzing rocky planets.

JWST’s real superpower lies in its ability to reveal an exoplanet’s atmosphere. For instance, it detected carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in WASP-39 b’s atmosphere, confirming active photochemical processes. It also studied K2-18 b, a super-Earth where it found methane and carbon dioxide—suggesting it could be a Hycean world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and possibly an ocean-covered surface. These findings bring us one step closer to discovering habitable worlds beyond our own.

Latest Exoplanet Discoveries

As of January 24, 2025, the Exoplanet Archive added 11 new planets to its growing catalog. Some of the notable names include:

• HD 101581 b & HD 101581 c
• TOI-6038 A b
• HD 73344 c & HD 73344 d
• TOI-5108 b
• TOI-5786 b
• TOI-1295 b
• TOI-2580 b
• TOI-6016 b
• TOI-6130 b

Each of these new planets offers exciting possibilities for further research, and JWST will help us determine their atmospheric compositions and conditions.

Conclusion

So, while JWST isn’t out there hunting for new planets, it’s doing something even more important—unlocking the secrets of those we’ve already found. From analyzing atmospheres to identifying potential habitable worlds, JWST is revolutionizing our understanding of the cosmos. And that’s a job no small telescope can do!