News Astronomy

The James Webb telescope is getting glimpses of small, far-off planets

The observatory seems to have a bright future as a probe of rocky exoplanets

An illustration of exoplanet GJ 1214b and its star.

The composition of exoplanet GJ 1214b (illustrated) has vexed astronomers since its 2009 discovery. Using the James Webb Space Telescope to observe the planet could provide answers.

L. Calçada/ESO

By Lisa Grossman

- More than 2 years ago

BALTIMORE — When the James Webb Space Telescope was first dreamed up, exoplanets hadn’t even been discovered yet.