NASA discovers potential new world around Alpha Centauri

Astronomers have found strong evidence captured by the James Webb Space Telescope regarding the possibility of a Jupiter-size world orbiting around Alpha Centauri, the stellar system closest to the Sun.

For several years, the Alpha Centauri triple star system, which is 4 light years away from the Earth, has been the potential target for exploring the new world beyond our solar system.

In the recent breakthrough, Webb’s robust observations are hinting at the possibility of the new planet, demonstrating as a gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A.

In the case of validation of evidence, the discovered planet would be the one closest to Earth, the habitable zone. However, Scientists believe that the planet could be made up of giant gas, so it is impossible to find any traces of life there.

Charles Beichman, co-first author of the study issued a statement: “With this system being so close to us, any exoplanets found would offer our best opportunity to collect data on planetary systems other than our own. Yet these are incredibly challenging observations to make, even with the world’s most powerful space telescope as these stars are so bright and move quickly across the sky.”

Alpha Centauri which is located in the far southern sky consists of Alpha Centauri A and Alpha Centauri B, looking like sun-like stars. Alpha Centauri A is the third brightest star.

Till now, astronomers have discovered 6,000 exoplanets orbiting other stars.