![]() Our findings underscore the promise of JWST transmission spectroscopy for characterizing temperate mini-Neptunes orbiting nearby M dwarfs. Absent high-altitude clouds, even single-instrument observations can provide good abundance constraints for these planets. By Marina Koren NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI SeptemSaved Stories Did you know. We find that NIRSpec G235H G395H is the optimal two-instrument configuration, while NIRISS or NIRSpec G235H is optimal for single-instrument observations. Science This Is Neptune The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a mesmerizing view of the planet. The constraints vary with instrument combinations. ![]() Single-transit observations with this three-instrument configuration allow precise abundance constraints for cloud-top pressures as low as 3 and 0.1 mbar for K2-18 b and TOI-732 c, respectively, assuming a nominal 10× solar metallicity. TikTok video from Museum of Science (museumofscience): 'See the JWST image of Neptune that brought tears of joy to NASA Planetary Astronomer Dr. The best constraints are obtained by combining all three high-resolution NIRSpec gratings (G140H G235H G395H) that together span the ~1-5 $\mu$m range. We find that their JWST transmission spectra with modest observing time and adequate wavelength coverage can provide precise abundance constraints of key molecules H 2O, CH 4, and NH 3 even in the presence of clouds at significantly high altitudes. We consider two temperate mini-Neptunes orbiting nearby M dwarfs, K2-18 b, and TOI-732 c, with equilibrium temperatures below 400 K, as case studies and assess observations using different instrument configurations with one transit per instrument. In this study, we systematically investigate JWST instrument configurations for characterizing cloudy mini-Neptune atmospheres, assessing the importance of instrument choice and wavelength coverage, focusing on NIRISS and NIRSpec. High-altitude clouds, however, threaten to impede their atmospheric characterization by muting spectral features. The Webb telescope found both prominent rings as well as bands of dust.The upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) promises a generational shift in the study of temperate mini-Neptune atmospheres using transit spectroscopy. It is difficult to observe these rings from afar because they are close to the planet and obscured by Neptune's brightness. These appear as brilliant, bright features, NASA says.Īlso prominent in the new image are Neptune's rings, which have not been directly observed since Voyager 2 flew by the planet in 1989. In the new view of Neptune, the exception to this is the planet's high-altitude methane ice clouds, which reflect sunlight before it can be absorbed by the methane. This is because the methane in Neptune's atmosphere absorbs reddish and infrared light. The Webb telescope, however, observes light in the infrared portion of the spectrum, so its "Near-Infrared Camera" photos show a ghostly white planet. The third-largest planet in our Solar System, Neptune often appears bright blue in images due to the presence of gaseous methane. NASA released the first images of this world on Wednesday. Recently, astronomers took data on the eighth planet from the Sun in our Solar System, Neptune. Scientists are wasting no time in pointing the powerful new James Webb Space Telescope all over the Universe, as well as into our own backyard. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI reader comments 157 with
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