Space

Webb Telescope Captures First Direct Image of New Exoplanet

Published JUN 26 2025

Story

Above: High-contrast coronograph image of TWA 7b. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has directly imaged exoplanet TWA 7b, the first it discovered since beginning science operations in July 2022. The Saturn-mass planet orbits the young red dwarf star TWA 7, located approximately 111 light-years away in the constellation Antlia.
Forbes
Independent
New York Post
TWA 7b's mass is approximately 10 times smaller than previously captured planets and comparable to Saturn at about 100 Earth masses or 0.3 times Jupiter's mass. The planet orbits its host star at a distance roughly 52 times farther than Earth orbits the Sun.
Live Science
NASA
The discovery used Webb's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) equipped with a coronagraph that blocks starlight to reveal fainter nearby objects. The coronagraph was developed by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the French Alternative Energies and the Atomic Energy Commission.
Astronomy Magazine
Independent
TWA 7b was found within a debris disk surrounding the 6.4-million-year-old star, which features three distinct concentric rings. The planet's location (within a gap on a ring) provides the first observational evidence of a "shepherd planet" responsible for sculpting debris disk structures.
ScienceAlert
Space
Engadget
The young planetary system's pole-on orientation from Earth's perspective provided ideal viewing conditions for Webb's observations. The positioning, plus the planet's residual heat from formation, made TWA 7b detectable in mid-infrared wavelengths despite its relatively small mass.
Live Science
Forbes
Researchers believe the telescope could potentially detect smaller exoplanets, as light as 25-30 Earth masses, and could pave the way for finding Earth-sized worlds through direct imaging techniques.
ScienceAlert
Space
Science News

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The Spin

Narrative A

This groundbreaking discovery showcases the incredible power of the James Webb Space Telescope and is a significant leap forward in our ability to study distant worlds. The direct imaging of TWA 7b proves that advanced space telescopes can now detect planets similar in size to those in our solar system, creating unprecedented opportunities for comparative planetary science. This achievement validates years of technological development and positions Webb as the premier instrument for discovering Earth-like exoplanets in the coming decades.

NASA

Independent

Narrative B

While this discovery is scientifically fascinating, its practical implications remain limited due to the enormous distances and current technological constraints. The planet is located over 100 light-years away, making any detailed study extremely challenging and costly in terms of telescope time and resources. The focus on such distant objects may divert attention from more pressing astronomical research priorities, including solar system exploration and near-Earth asteroid detection programs, which are closer to home.

ScienceAlert

Astronomy Magazine