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JWST Begins Atmospheric Probe of L 98-59 After Fifth Habitable-Zone Planet Confirmed

Confirmation of L 98-59 f has prompted the IREx team to begin James Webb observations aimed at detecting atmospheric signatures on its rocky planets.

Image
An artist’s impression of the L 98-59 planetary system; in the foreground is the habitable-zone super-Earth L 98-59f. Image credit: Benoît Gougeon / UdeM.

Overview

  • The fifth planet, L 98-59 f, was confirmed by an IREx study that has been accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal.
  • Researchers applied advanced line-by-line radial velocity and temperature-indicator techniques to archival TESS, HARPS, ESPRESSO and JWST data, achieving twice the precision on planetary sizes and masses.
  • L 98-59 f is a non-transiting temperate super-Earth on a 23-day orbit that receives roughly Earth-equivalent stellar energy, placing it firmly in the habitable zone.
  • The compact system also hosts a sub-Earth world, two likely volcanic super-Earths and a low-density candidate water world, all orbiting closer to their star than Mercury orbits the Sun.
  • The IREx team has commenced JWST atmospheric follow-up observations to analyze the compositions and habitability potential of this diverse set of terrestrial exoplanets.