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Exploring Water Beyond Earth: Discoveries by the James Webb

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Chapter 1: Unveiling Cosmic Water

Water is abundant on our planet, yet the search for drinkable water elsewhere in the universe continues. Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest that we might not be alone in this quest.

Artist's depiction of WASP-18 b

“WASP-18 b, illustrated here, is a gas giant exoplanet that dwarfs Jupiter, being ten times its mass and completing an orbit around its star in a mere 23 hours. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope meticulously studied this planet as it passed behind its star, revealing temperatures that soar to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,700 C).” (Artist Illustration Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech (K. Miller/IPAC))

For those unfamiliar with its journey, the James Webb Space Telescope is a significant space observatory, designed to replace the Hubble Space Telescope. Launched on Christmas Day 2022, Webb has captivated both scientists and amateur astronomers with its remarkable imagery of the universe.

Named in honor of former NASA administrator James E. Webb, this telescope is a joint endeavor involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

The JWST primarily aims to observe the universe using infrared light, which has longer wavelengths than visible light, allowing it to penetrate dust clouds. This capability enables astronomers to study celestial objects and phenomena that are typically obscured from view.

The telescope's mission includes investigating the formation and development of the first galaxies that emerged after the Big Bang, shedding light on the universe's early stages.

Since its launch, the JWST has focused on analyzing the atmospheres of exoplanets, looking for indicators of habitability and essential molecules like water, carbon dioxide, and methane.

Recently, Webb may have made a significant discovery: water.

Enter WASP-18.

“Webb assessed the atmosphere of this ultrahot gas giant and mapped its temperatures,” NASA declared this week. “Despite its extreme heat (nearly 5000 F or 2700 C), WASP-18 b displays trace amounts of atmospheric water—an achievement made possible by Webb’s remarkable sensitivity.”

In addition to WASP-18, water has also been detected on one of Saturn's moons.

Infographic of Saturn and Enceladus

“The infographic illustrates Saturn, its moon Enceladus, and the surrounding torus of water. The top diagram centers on Saturn, with the torus encircling the planet. The bottom left features a NIRSpec image of Enceladus, while the bottom right displays the spectra from that field. The blue vertical columns indicate the presence of water.” (Credit: NASA)

“NASA recently reported that the Webb telescope has detected a massive water jet emanating from Enceladus, extending over 6,000 miles (9650 km) and releasing water at a rate of 79 gallons per second (approximately 299 liters per second).” In this context, Webb's data shows Enceladus as a mere pixel, while the water jet dwarfs it in size!

Water plume from Enceladus

“A NIRSpec image from the JWST captures a water vapor plume jetting from Enceladus' southern pole, extending more than 20 times the moon's diameter. An inset from the Cassini orbiter highlights the contrast between the tiny moon and the vast water plume.” (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Geronimo Villanueva (NASA-GSFC))

“Enceladus is a key target in the search for extraterrestrial life,” says NASA. “Beneath its icy surface lies a salty ocean, with jets of water that contribute to Saturn and its rings.”

Webb’s findings also reveal how Enceladus' plumes function as a sprinkler system, continuously releasing water as it orbits Saturn. Scientists estimate that around 30% of this water remains within the “donut,” while the remaining 70% feeds Saturn and its rings.

Yet, Webb's discoveries didn’t stop there. The telescope's advanced scanners picked up more unexpected water in a surprising location.

“Webb confirmed the first detection of water vapor around a unique type of comet located in the asteroid belt,” NASA added. “This finding implies that water from the early solar system can remain preserved as ice in this area—a pivotal discovery for understanding the origins of water on Earth.”

Comet 238P/Read captured by JWST

“This image of Comet 238P/Read, taken by the JWST’s NIRCam on September 8, 2022, showcases the characteristic haze and tail of comets caused by the vaporization of ice as they approach the Sun.” (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, M. Kelley (University of Maryland). Image processing: H. Hsieh (Planetary Science Institute), A. Pagan (STScI))

“Comet Read is classified as a main belt comet,” NASA explains. “This classification is relatively new, with Read being one of the first three comets recognized in this category. Unlike typical comets found beyond Neptune, these reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and can exhibit a halo and tail.”

“Comets generate their distinctive features as frozen materials vaporize near the Sun,” NASA scientists note. “While comet-like objects have been observed in the main belt before, Webb has provided the first solid evidence that water ice is responsible for this phenomenon.”

Spectral data of Comet 238P/Read

“This graphic shows spectral data comparing the observations of Comet 238P/Read by the JWST's NIRSpec in 2022 with those of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 by NASA’s Deep Impact mission in 2010. While both display a peak in the water spectrum, Comet Read differs as it showed no detectable carbon dioxide, which typically accounts for 10% of a comet's volatile materials.” (Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and J. Olmsted (STScI))

Through its observations of young stars and protoplanetary disks, the JWST is set to yield valuable insights into star and planetary system formation.

The telescope is also examining various objects within our solar system, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, enhancing our understanding of these celestial entities.

“The detection of water came with a perplexing twist: Comet Read showed no signs of carbon dioxide,” NASA noted. “This gas is usually a significant component of a comet’s volatile content.”

“We are still uncertain about how water arrived on Earth,” admit NASA scientists. “Understanding the distribution of water in our solar system may help us learn about other planetary systems and their potential to support Earth-like planets.”

The JWST is revolutionizing our ability to study the universe, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and enhancing our comprehension of the cosmos.

What new revelations await from the James Webb in the vast universe?

In the video "Let There Be Water | Seth M. Siegel | Talks at Google," the speaker discusses the importance of water and its implications for life across the universe.

In "Israel's solution for a water-starved world | Seth M. Siegel | TEDxTelAvivSalon," the speaker shares innovative approaches to addressing global water scarcity.

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